Bjorn wiped the sweat off his brow as he carried the lumber down the trail to the main road. It was a hot day today, even for summertime in these mountains. The sun beat down hard on him and his tunic was soaked through with perspiration. He paused mid-stride and stopped dead in his tracks. A loud glottal roar reverberated throughout the forest followed by several other similar sounds. They sounded like roars coming from giant beasts instead of animals, making them seem much larger than they actually were.
He heard footsteps approaching along the path leading to the village and knew immediately what those steps meant—someone was being chased.
Bjorn set down the lumber he had been carrying and unsheathed his broadsword from its scabbard. "This is no ordinary beast," he said to himself, preparing for battle. He waited for the creature to appear before him.
A young girl dashed out from a side trail ahead of him, running toward him. The girl looked frightened. As she got closer, Bjorn noted her distinctly unnatural iridescent hair. Before he could announce himself, another loud roar echoed through the forest and caused her to jump in fright.
The creature emerged from the forest, roaring at its prey.
Bjorn recognized the creature right away. It was an aberrant form of a creature known as a Kungwan, a frog-headed monster not native to the valley, but Hilda and her druids went on an expedition a few days ago to cull their numbers before they could threaten the village. This was worrying. One shouldn't be this close to the village.
"Whoa there, young one. Don't worry, I'm here to help you," Bjorn called out to her.
The girl never broke stride as she ran up to him then jumped with her legs parted and used Bjorn's head as a springboard to vault over him, landing on the other side.
"Bjorn! Be careful. There's two of them," the girl said to him.
"There's two?!"
Bjorn turned his head and saw another Kungwan emerge from the dense foliage behind the first. These monsters weren't exactly easy to deal with. One was bad enough, but having to fend off two at the same time would make things difficult indeed.
"Keep away then, lass! Head to the village and call for Thorsten or the other guards!" He motioned for the girl to flee.
The creature leaped at Bjorn, its claws slashing down at him. He dodged to the side, evading the attack, and parried its next swipe with his sword. He swung his blade downward at its leg, cutting deep into its flesh. The creature screeched loudly in pain.
It fell backward onto the ground and struggled to stand back upright. It glared at Bjorn menacingly, its mouth gaping wide.
The Kungwans’ slime-covered hide had a fair resistance against mundane attacks but what made fighting them more disadvantageous was their regeneration and endurance. Already he saw the cut he made slowly knit itself back together.
Bjorn kicked the creature in the stomach, sending it flying backwards. He took a quick glance behind him to see the girl sprinting toward safety. The outskirts of the village wasn't that far. Once the girl tells a perimeter guard of the danger, reinforcements should soon follow. He just had to hold out until then before–
The first Kungwan regained its footing and leaped at him again, lunging with a series of swipes. Bjorn blocked each blow with practiced poise while swinging his sword in counterattacks. The second Kungwan leaped over him and continued its chase.
"Damn it!" Bjorn cursed under his breath. Waiting for reinforcements would not be feasible if the guards had to deal with that monster inside the village.
The remaining Kungwan started to force him on the defensive as it renewed its vigorous attacks. Bjorn would lose in a battle of endurance against this resilient creature unless he had the means to inflict a grievous wound with a single attack. Already he was feeling the fatigue of fending off the Kungwan’s blows. He didn't have time to waste fighting off one creature alone. After gaining some distance, he quickly drew his handaxe from its sheath and hurled it at the creature, hitting it squarely on the chest.
His axe buried itself halfway into the creature's torso. The Kungwan shrieked in agony, thrashing wildly about as it stumbled on its back.
Bjorn took that time to run after the Kungwan that got past him earlier.
----------------------------------------
Ebonheim watched as the creature leapt from the treetop and crashed down onto the dirt below, causing a large cloud of dust to rise up. She couldn't believe how agile it was despite its size and bulkiness. She continued running down the trail and saw a clearing that contained many houses nestled together. Several villagers were gathered outside talking amongst themselves, unaware of the commotion happening nearby.
"Run! Run!" Ebonheim shouted, hoping to alert anyone who might hear her. Her voice was lost amidst the din of the creature's thunderous roar.
The villagers noticed the creature charging behind her and scattered in every direction, some heading to safer areas within their homes while others fled deeper into the woods. Two men garbed in leather armor and armed with spears rushed out to confront the creature.
"Back away slowly and keep your weapons ready!" one yelled.
They both held their spear tips high above their heads to ward off any attacks from the creature.
Ebonheim ran behind them before turning around. "Where is Thorsten?" she asked.
"Thorsten? No one knows where he went this afternoon."
The creature lunged at them with its clawed hands raised high overhead. Ebonheim leaped back while both men moved aside and deflected the creature's attack with their spears, keeping their distance from the creature.
The creature's powerful jaws snapped shut on empty air when it tried to bite them. It roared in frustration as it reared its head back to unleash a flurry of punches at the two warriors.
The men retreated farther, taking cover behind the nearest house. The creature charged forward once again.
One of the men threw his spear at the creature, striking it between its shoulder blades. The creature staggered back, momentarily stunned by the sudden impact, but it recovered swiftly and attacked again, striking the unarmed warrior's chest hard enough to send him flying through the air. The other man managed to dodge most of the blows, but several landed solidly on his shoulders, knocking him to the ground.
Another pair of villagers emerged from beyond the nearby houses, wielding swords in their hands. They circled around the creature cautiously, readying themselves for a fight.
"Stay back, lads!" the injured warrior shouted. "You'll only end up dead if you try to face–"
The creature struck the wounded man with a vicious punch, knocking him unconscious.
Ebonheim gasped at the sight. The creature seemed too strong for even seasoned warriors to handle.
She had to do something to help them. Anything. The system popped up on her peripheral and started listing names of abilities, as if prompting her to choose but there was no time.
“Just find me something to immobilize that!”
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I)]
[Effect] Conjures vines from the earth or nearby flora to constrict one target. The vines have 25 Health, 20 Physical Defense, 5 Damage Reduction vs. Blunt and Piercing Physical Damage. The vines can also be used to bind objects to other objects. You can concentrate to animate the vines.
[Range] 10 meters
[Duration] until destroyed or canceled
[Cost] 15 Essence
Good enough. She chose that ability and a rush of information detailing its use flooded her mind.
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) acquired]
She took a step forward and closed her eyes, focusing her mind and calling upon her divine powers. She reached out to the earth beneath her feet, feeling its warmth and vitality flow through her body. She focused all her energy on sprouting vines from the soil, wrapping around the creature's limbs and torso. Vines grew out from the ground and wrapped around its ankles, slowing its movements and preventing it from moving freely.
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 51 -> 36
As the creature attempted to break free, its jaw opened wider than ever before, revealing row after row of jagged teeth. The beast snarled angrily as it tore at the vines with its teeth and claws.
[Vines Health] 25 -> 11
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
[Vines Health] 11 -> 0
“Are you kidding me? Already?” She gritted her teeth and focused her will once again to entangle the creature.
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 36 -> 21
[Vines Health] 25 -> 15
[Vines Health] 15 -> 3
[Vines Health] 3 -> 0
“Oh, come on!” Ebonheim squinted her eyes as she renewed the entanglement.
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 21 -> 6
More vines shot forth from the ground and latched onto its arms, legs, and head, holding it tightly as the previous grip loosened. The creature shook its head violently, trying to shake loose its restraints.
[Vines Health] 25 -> 12
Vines snapped and cracked under the force of its struggle, leaving broken tendrils dangling from its body, yet more vines continued to grow rapidly to replace those severed.
[Vines Health] 12 -> 0
[You do not have the requisite Essence to use Divine Ability: Entangle (Rank I)]
[You are allowed to convert Health into Essence at a ratio of 3:1]
[Would you like to convert Health into Essence?]
She didn’t even need to think about her response. The answer was obvious.
[Conversion initiated]
[Health] 190 -> 145
[Essence] 6 -> 21
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 21 -> 6
Ebonheim kept growing new vines in response to the creature's efforts to escape, covering its entire torso in seconds. She could feel the life within her begin to drain as she fought desperately against the creature's strength, using everything that she had left in order to slow it down.
[Vines Health: 25 -> 12
[Vines Health: 12 -> 0
[Conversion initiated]
[Health] 145 -> 100
[Essence] 6 -> 21
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 21 -> 6
The creature lashed out with a mighty swing of its clawed hand, which knocked one villager to the ground. Another villager rushed in close and slashed open the creature's belly with his sword. The creature screamed in agony as blood poured from the wound.
With its attention diverted, Ebonheim wrapped a final vine around the creature’s maw with all her remaining power. The last vestiges of her Essence drained from her body, leaving her weakened and exhausted. Her vision blurred as she slumped to the ground.
A pair of hands grabbed her by her shoulders and dragged her away from the creature. She looked up to find Bjorn standing over her, panting heavily from exhaustion. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"I... I'm fine," she replied weakly, still catching her breath. "Just give me a moment."
Bjorn nodded and let go of her. As he turned around to check on the other villagers, Ebonheim rose unsteadily to her feet. She felt a throbbing pain in her temples, and her vision began to blur again as the creature started to pull itself free from the vines that bound it.
[Vines Health] 25 -> 15
"No!" Bjorn exclaimed, rushing towards the creature.
Suddenly, the second creature arrived and tackled Bjorn from the side, knocking him backward and sending him crashing into the side of a house. He slid along the wall, falling to the ground.
Ebonheim heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and she spun around to see two more warriors emerge from a nearby trail. One carried a large mace while the other brandished a longsword and a studded shield. Their faces were grim, their eyes filled with determination.
While the first creature continued to tear at its bindings, the second creature charged forward, swinging its fist wildly, smashing into the first warrior and bowling him over like a ragdoll. The second warrior blocked another blow from the creature's claws with his shield, deflecting it harmlessly away. The creature quickly reversed its stance and kicked the warrior in the gut with its foot, dropping him to the ground. The warrior rolled over, spun around and with his momentum slashed at the creature's throat.
The creature dodged the strike and leapt straight upward, landing atop the roof of a nearby hut.
Ebonheim rushed towards Bjorn and helped him stand upright. "What do we do now?" she whispered urgently.
"We need to stop this thing somehow..." he said, gasping for breath. "If it gets further inside the village, many people will die."
Ebonheim glanced around frantically. There weren't any trees near them for her to use her magic. She needed something else—something big!
She scanned the area and spotted a fallen tree trunk by the edge of the clearing.
"Bjorn, I have an idea. Can you corral those two monsters towards that spot over there and keep them there?" She pointed towards a spot between a nearby hut and a tree.
Bjorn nodded and picked up his sword. The remaining able-bodied warriors joined his side as they charged at the creature that finally freed itself from the vines while the one atop the hut jumped down to join the melee.
Ebonheim scampered toward the fallen log and channeled the Essence that sustained her physical form and used it as fuel to use her ability once more.
[Conversion initiated]
[Health] 100 -> 55
[Essence] 6 -> 21
[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]
[Essence] 21 -> 6
Vines spewed forth from the ground underneath the log, coiling around it while others snaked through the air to wrap around two nearby trees. She focused her will and the vines grow thicker and stronger by the second, weaving together to form a sturdy sling.
With a deep breath, Ebonheim gripped the vines and pulled back, the muscles in her arms bulging with effort. The log rose off the ground, swaying back and forth as she aimed it towards the snarling monsters. The vines creaked and strained, but they held fast, allowing Ebonheim to take careful aim.
She watched as Bjorn and his men maneuvered to coerce the creatures towards the spot she designated.
"Bjorn! I'm ready, get out of the way!" Ebonheim shouted.
As Bjorn and his men dodged out of the way, Ebonheim released the log with a mighty yell, sending it hurtling through the air towards the creatures. The log spinned wildly, the vines unwinding from around the trees as the log gained speed. The creatures saw the log coming and tried to dodge out of the way, but it was too late. The log crashed into them with a resounding thud, sending them tumbling backwards. They landed hard on the ground, stunned and dazed from the impact.
[Ranged Attack direct hit. 25% of damage resisted. Physical Damage 70]
Ebonheim's legs buckled from exhaustion and she collapsed onto her knees. Her vision blurred even worse than before, and she struggled to breathe. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, threatening to burst through her ribs. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing deeply until the feeling passed.
When her vision returned, she noticed that both creatures were already moving again and engaged in melee with Bjorn and the other warriors. The creatures wore grievous injuries sustained from Bjorn's and the others' attacks, as well as hers.
She did do something to help. She did contribute. But why did she feel that it still wasn't enough? Why did she think it was a good idea to go seek help from the villagers in the first place? These creatures were obviously a danger to them. Why would their goddess bring them danger?
The creatures jumped over Bjorn and charged towards Ebonheim. Bjorn yelled from behind them, looking at her in alarm.
She tried to move but her strength failed her. She could only stare, eyes glazed, in bewilderment at how things unfolded. Nothing seemed to go right for her today.
The nearest creature reached towards her throat with its claws. She braced herself for the worst.
The faint scent of chamomile and rosemary wafted through the air. The sweet, comforting aroma enveloped Ebonheim's senses.
Roots burst from the ground beneath the charging creatures and wrapped themselves around their bodies, constricting their movements. The creatures tried to struggle while suspended in the air, but the roots remained unyielding.
This wasn't her doing. Those roots were many times thicker and hardier than the measly vines she could produce. Who–
"Thank the goddess we've arrived in time," said the gentle voice of an elderly woman from behind her. Once more, the voice seemed familiar despite hearing it for the first time. Tears welled up underneath Ebonheim's eyes.
A soft breeze brushed against Ebonheim's cheeks as the leaves rustled above her head. She turned her gaze behind her and met the smiling visage of Hilda, approaching her with a walking cane at hand.
Hilda stepped closer and lowered her hands. She smiled warmly down upon the exhausted deity.
"It's alright," she said softly, reaching out with her hand to stroke Ebonheim's forehead. "You're safe now."
Ebonheim leaned into the touch, savoring the sensation of being cared for after such a harrowing ordeal.
"I'll make sure your wounds heal properly." Hilda stroked Ebonheim's cheek gently, brushing away some of the tears streaming down her face. "But first, I need to finish some work."
Ebonheim watched Hilda's silver eyes glimmer briefly as the elder woman cast her spell.
Hilda tapped her cane onto the ground. Shimmering lichen sprouted from the roots around the creatures and released spores that drifted slowly through the air. The spores took root inside them, growing into small plants that began to spread throughout their bodies, wrapping around their limbs like ivy. The effects didn't seem immediate, but soon the creatures stiffened and grew rigid. Their heads drooped forward, their mouths gaping open in silent screams. Soon, their bodies went limp, their chests no longer rising and falling.
"There we are," said Hilda, satisfied.
Ebonheim looked over at Bjorn and his men approaching.
"Hilda, you're back earlier than expected. How did you know to come here?" asked Bjorn as he sheathed his blade, his voice strained with fatigue.
"The noise mostly," answered Hilda. She smiled and reached up to pat Bjorn's shoulder. "You and your men did well staving off the Kungwan with ordinary weapons."
Bjorn sighed and rubbed his neck, looking back at the corpses entangled in the roots. "Aye, I was caught ill-prepared and didn't have my proper blade with me." He looked back at Hilda. "I trust your expedition went well then? Where are the other druids?"
"We finished earlier than expected. However, we didn't expect stragglers to have come this far. I asked the others to scout the area around the village to make sure we didn't miss anymore. We also came across Thorsten earlier when he was wandering the forest."
Bjorn nodded. "Well, I'm glad you made it back in time. I would have had nightmares to contend with if they'd gotten to this young one." He turned to look down at Ebonheim. He smiled, but then tilted his head and looked at her curiously. "I've...no memory of meeting a young one like you until today." He looked back at Hilda. "Is she a child from your tribe?"
Before Ebonheim or Hilda could answer, Thorsten stormed out of the woods from where Hilda had emerged before and marched behind Ebonheim, promptly picking her up by her head once again.
Ebonheim neither had the energy nor the will to resist and could feel the familiar squeeze of Thorsten's fingertips on her head.
"Finally caught you, you little bugger," Thorsten said. "Back in the cage you go."
Ebonheim could only mumble. "Okay."