"In wreaths of bloom, from seed's embrace, life's root transformed, reclaims this space."
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Calyxia leapt high into the air, her coiled body unfurling to its full length as she extended her arms. Her fingers flexed, elongated talons springing from their tips with a soft click as they fully extended. Her lips drew back, exposing a row of razor-sharp teeth, which glinted in the sunlight as they parted.
In the midst of her descent, she drew her arms back, curling her body into a tight ball. Then, at the apex of her fall, she opened her arms in a wide sweeping motion, her claws slicing through the air in a deadly arc to rake across a cluster of Kungwans.
Blood spurted from their wounds as her claws tore into their flesh, carving deep furrows through their hides. As she landed, she spun around, her tail lashing out to smash into more Kungwans, her strength and momentum sending them hurtling through the air.
In the wake of her attack, she stood poised and ready for the next wave of attackers, her tail lashing from side to side as she waited for them to regroup.
The Kungwan horde shifted their attention to her, the initial confusion of their onslaught wearing off as they organized their attack. Several Regenerators moved to the front, their tough hides offering a measure of protection from her claws and tail, while a Frostscale and a Flamecaller circled around to her back. The lesser Kungwans followed suit, gathering on both sides in an attempt to surround her.
Realizing their intent, Calyxia surged forward, charging directly at the largest concentration of enemies. As she drew closer, they rushed to meet her, their claws and jaws snapping at her flesh in a desperate bid to bring her down. She weaved between their clumsy attacks, her tail lashing out to knock them aside or send them tumbling into each other.
Once she had passed through their ranks, she quickly reversed her momentum, spinning around to face them. Again, she lashed out with her claws and tail before retreating back out of their range.
This time, she managed to avoid most of their strikes, only receiving a few scratches as she retreated. The Kungwans followed her, but she managed to keep her distance, baiting them into pursuing her while staying just out of reach.
It was a dangerous game, but one she was familiar with. By controlling the pace and tempo of the battle, she could wear them down while keeping herself relatively unharmed.
Her eyes darted from side to side, gauging the enemy's movements while also watching out for potential traps. They weren't the smartest or most cunning foes, but she knew that they would eventually catch onto her tactics and adapt their behavior.
She took a glance over to Ebonheim, whose eyes were closed as she gathered her energy.
That little goddess seemed to have something in store.
Good. She had pulled her weight thus far, and it would be interesting to see how this played out.
Throughout the battle, Calyxia had caught glimpses of Ebonheim's powers and battle prowess. Her archery, while impressive, was not on par with the mastery of more experienced combatants. Instead, Ebonheim relied heavily on her powers to make up for her shortcomings.
As far as her divine powers went, she seemed to have an affinity with druidic magics, but compared to what Calyxia had seen Elmsworth display over the years, the potency and effectiveness of her abilities were somewhat lacking. Still, her knowledge and utilization of the powers was commendable.
But what surprised her the most was Ebonheim's elemental manipulation. Mixing elemental magics together was something not even powerful Archanists or Archdruids could pull off consecutively, yet she had done so multiple times during this battle.
Just what else was this little goddess capable of? She seemed confident in whatever she planned to execute, and Calyxia was eager to witness its fruit.
If Ebonheim could deal with at least a third of the remaining Kungwans with this unveiled power of hers, then she would earn Calyxia's respect as an equal.
Dealing with the rest of the Kungwans afterward wouldn't pose much difficulty, not with the two of them working together. Then it'd be her turn to reveal some of the powers she had kept hidden in reserve.
Calyxia reeled her thoughts back, her gaze narrowing as she sensed the enemies encircling her once more.
She lashed out with her tail, slapping aside a Regenerator's claws and darting around its flank to pounce upon another enemy. As she bounded away, she felt an icy blast of wind rush past her face, forcing her to turn sharply in midair to evade the attack.
Upon landing, she caught sight of the Frostscale that had ambushed her from behind. It lowered its head, its crystalline eyes glowing as it prepared to launch another freezing breath at her. She darted to the side, her tail whipping around to smack the creature's head and disrupt its aim.
The blast of frigid air shot past her, missing its target by mere centimeters.
The Flamecaller that had circled around to her rear attacked, its fiery breath scorching the forest floor around her. She rolled to the side, the searing heat licking at her scales, but her thick skin and scales protected her from the worst of the damage.
When the Flamecaller drew near, she struck out with her tail, catching it by surprise and sending it stumbling forward into her waiting claws. She grabbed the creature, lifting it high into the air and using it as a weapon against the rest of the Kungwans as she whirled the Flamecaller's body around, smashing the helpless creature against the others.
The Flamecaller screeched in pain, its body writhing as its flames died down. She cast the charred corpse aside, turning to face the remaining Kungwans as they charged towards her once more.
She smirked, her lips parting to expose her fangs. "Who's next?"
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Ebonheim's tree sentinels sprang into action, their branches creaking and groaning as they shuffled forward. Their wooden fists and limbs crashed down on the Kungwans, driving them back and preventing them from getting near her.
Meanwhile, she stood at the back of the fray, her eyes closed as she concentrated on the power flowing within her. She accessed the Quintessence within, guiding the energy to flow through her body. Her skin glowed with a faint light as her veins lit up from within, tracing patterns underneath her flesh.
The air around her began to stir, shifting subtly as the power coursed through her. The wind picked up, rising to a howling gale as it spiraled around her, causing her divine aura to shimmer in response.
[Sequence 1: Ailment-Cleaning Pulse complete]
[Essence] 390/680
Small motes of light danced on the currents, radiating waves of heat and light. The earth below her feet rumbled, as if responding to her call, small cracks forming on its surface as roots began to push through, stretching outward in all directions.
She weaved her hands in the air, manipulating the flow of energy surrounding her. The motes of light increased spread around her, floating in the air as they twirled and swirled, expanding further and further outward. As they traveled, they began to pulse, releasing waves of energy that washed over the area.
[Sequence 2: Pest-Repelling Prana complete]
[Essence] 360/680
The motes of light drifted downward, coming to rest on the foliage beneath. Small plants and shrubs began to sprout and grow, pushing their way through the soil and reaching upward, towards the light.
Shimmering water rose from the ground, forming a misty haze that blanketed the area. The vapor soaked into the plants, infusing them with life and vitality. As the energy flowed through the vegetation, it changed them, transforming them into a new type of flora—a strange hybrid blend of local and exotic plant life.
The woody, leafy shoots twisted and warped, their forms mutating as they grew, sprouting bright, multicolored flowers. Their petals pulsated with vibrant colors and patterns, emitting an ethereal glow in the misty haze.
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[Sequence 3: Lifespring Wells complete]
[Essence] 320/680
Alarmed at the change occurring within the environment, several Kungwans shifted their focus toward Ebonheim and charged at her. But Calyxia and the tree sentinels intercepted them, the giant, animated trees unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks to keep the monsters back. Meanwhile, Calyxia whipped her tail and slashed with her claws, keeping them from breaking through their defensive line. She darted in and out of the horde, striking at random points and swiftly retreating, leading the Kungwans in circles and preventing them from coordinating their efforts.
While the others fought, Ebonheim continued to channel the flow of Quintessence, directing it through the newly formed plants and trees.
As she manipulated the energy within herself, she became aware of an odd sensation, almost like a gentle tugging at the edges of her mind. She probed the sensation, delving deeper and discovering a connection—a link between herself and the plants that she had created.
The energy within Ebonheim surged, and she began to gather more Quintessence to herself, molding and shaping it to her will. The plants around her swayed in rhythm to her heartbeat, their blossoms blooming with every pulse. She channeled the power into the earth, imbuing the ground with life-giving properties, infusing the soil with the essence of creation.
The plants in the vicinity grew at a visible pace, their leaves and stems extending rapidly before bursting into bloom with vibrant colors. A sweet aroma filled the air, the scent of countless flowers and herbs mingling together in a heavenly fragrance.
Ebonheim continued to build upon the power, her aura flaring as she poured more and more energy into the plants. They responded, their growth accelerating as they stretched outwards, their blossoms and foliage spreading throughout the area.
[Sequence 4: Fecundity of Creation complete]
[Essence] 280/680
More and more plant life erupted from the ground, covering the area in a lush carpet of greenery; roots burrowed into the soil, spreading throughout the battlefield, creating an intricate web of connections that stretched to the edge of her awareness.
Her consciousness spread among the plants, the tendrils connecting to one another, creating a network that encompassed the entire battlefield.
Information flowed into her mind, revealing the positions and movements of all living creatures within her influence. She saw the Kungwans as small pinpoints of light, their auras illuminating their presence and marking their location. She sensed the vibrations of their footsteps through the network of roots, and the rustle of leaves as they brushed past the trees and shrubs.
With her senses thus enhanced, she was able to locate every one of the remaining Kungwans and lock onto them, even from afar.
[Sequence 5: Vines of the Bramble King complete]
[Essence] 265/680
With the final component in place, Ebonheim finally activated the power.
Her eyes snapped open, glowing with a brilliant white light as the energy within her flared, and the air around her hummed with power. The ground trembled and cracked beneath her as a myriad of vines burst forth from the earth, snaking across the ground at astonishing speeds. They encircled the Kungwans, ensnaring the creatures and dragging them to the ground. The vines grew thicker and heavier, crushing their limbs and holding them in place, while the thorns protruding from them pierced their hides and flesh.
Calyxia leapt out of the way of a vine that burst from the ground to entangle the Kungwan Titan she had been battling. She landed atop a nearby tree, using the trunk as a platform as she observed the vines crawling through the area with awe.
Ebonheim was unaware of Calyxia's gaze as she guided the vines to wrap themselves around each of the remaining Kungwans spread across the battlefield, holding them in place.
"Blumenkranz..." Her voice, harmonizing with the forest’s resonance, cast a momentary stillness, like the breathless hush before a storm.
[Essence] 65/680
As her eyes glowed with divine light, a verdant halo of vines and flowers materialized above her head. The flowers bloomed in a cascade of color, their petals unfolding and dancing in the air. The vines wrapped around each other, braiding together to create a delicate frame, with smaller flowers decorating the interstices.
She brought her hands together, palms flat against one another, and her eyes narrowed in concentration. The flower petals began to pulse with a soft light, each emitting a tiny spark. The sparks multiplied, arcing between the individual petals and forming a latticework of energy.
Her aura pulsed, the vibrant light washing over the area and enveloping the plants under her control. They responded in turn, their leaves and petals rippling as they absorbed the power.
At last, her voice echoed through the air.
"Frøomvandling av Livsroten."
As the power of the Blumenkranz thrummed within her, she unleashed the full force of her divinity upon the Kungwans trapped within the vines. The plants curled and coiled around the struggling creatures, injecting them with the very essence of the grove.
The Kungwans shrieked and roared as the energy rushed through them, their forms morphing and twisting as they were remade. Their twisted limbs transformed into elegant branches, their croaking mouths silenced, replaced with blooms and leaves.
Their bodies warped, the coarse, chitinous hide becoming rough bark, and the jagged fangs softened into smooth, polished wood. Their claws and teeth withered away, the digits extending into roots and spreading into the ground. Their bodies sank into the earth, their skin fusing with the surrounding soil, merging them with the roots and plants around them.
Veins turned to vines, flesh to foliage, and bones to ancient bark. Each transformation reflected the creature's nature—Kungwans Blightfroths sprouting yellow-orange and red fungi, Flamecallers gaining flickering and burning leaves, Frostscales growing a coating of hoarfrost and icicles, and Skyclinger's elongated limbs becoming long, flexible branches.
Even the mighty Titans underwent a dramatic change, their massive frames reducing and becoming stunted. Their bladed forelimbs transformed into thick, heavy boughs, their mouths agape as they became rooted in place, their lower halves fused with the ground. Their heads and upper bodies retained their original shapes, but were now covered with leaves and flowers. Their eyes dimmed and dulled, fading to gray as the spark of life drained from them.
And Ebonheim, standing at the epicenter of this transformation, watched in awe as the once fearsome creatures were reduced to nothing more than plants, as nature reclaimed its domain.
The grove stood in silence once the last Kungwan's screams had faded away, the air itself seeming to hold its breath as the remnants of the creatures' demise hung in the air.
After a moment, Ebonheim released her grip on the Blumenkranz, the verdant halo dissipating from her head. As she did so, the vines restraining the former Kungwans also withdrew, retreating back into the ground.
She fell to her knees, panting heavily, her head swimming with exhaustion as her power left her. The divine glow faded from her eyes, leaving her sight blurred and fuzzy, as the energy that had flowed through her left her body.
Her limbs felt like lead, her vision hazy, her ears ringing. Everything seemed distant and muffled, as if she were viewing the world through a veil. She struggled to remain conscious, but her eyelids were heavy, and darkness crept around the edges of her vision.
The last thing she remembered was a pair of strong arms, and a serpentine tail, lifting her from the ground.
She was in Calyxia's embrace, she realized.
Calyxia gently laid her down on a bed of moss and grass, cushioning her tired body as she struggled to remain awake.
"I didn't expect you to pull off something so extraordinary, Ebonheim. That was rather impressive."
Ebonheim mumbled a halfhearted reply, her voice slurred and her words incoherent.
"Though, my only critique would be that you should have done that at the start of the battle. Would have saved us a lot of time and effort." Calyxia chuckled, her tone light and teasing.
Ebonheim tried to respond, to explain her reasoning, but her thoughts scattered as exhaustion took hold. She succumbed to her fatigue, her world fading into oblivion as she slipped into the land of dreams.
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Calyxia couldn't help but chuckle to herself, despite the fatigue from the fight weighing upon her own form. She gazed at the sleeping figure of the young goddess and shook her head in amusement.
What an interesting being. So many secrets and surprises lurking in this one.
She nudged her with her tail, rolling her into a more comfortable position, making sure her head rested on a pillow made of her coiled body.
Well, she'd let Ebonheim rest for now. It wasn't too often she got to witness a Lesser Goddess in action.
She then surveyed the surroundings. The bodies of the fallen Kungwans now served as new flora—flowers, trees, and shrubbery sprouted where the carcasses had fallen. The trees and bushes looked out of place, with alien-looking flowers and unfamiliar fruits dangling from their branches.
A small bead of sweat rolled down her brow, the adrenaline from the battle slowly receding as the danger was over. Her muscles ached and burned, her mind weary from the mental toll of fighting non-stop for hours.
But all that paled in comparison to the sheer awe of witnessing Ebonheim's power. At that moment, if Ebonheim had viewed her as an enemy and that power had also been directed at her...
Calyxia shook her head, dispelling the unpleasant thought. It was foolish to dwell on what-ifs and what could have been.
Her eyes landed on the now-sleeping figure of Ebonheim, her form sprawled out on the grass and moss. Her hair was disheveled, her skin smudged with grime, and her clothes were stained with dirt, blood, and sweat.
Calyxia knew better now not to underestimate Ebonheim's abilities. She'd need to be cautious and observe her more closely from now on.
The corner of Calyxia's lips quirked up into a small smile, the fatigue she had been feeling now seemingly vanished. She had found a worthy ally.
She glanced over at the horizon, towards where the Kungwan's nest was located. The Seraphidae should be battling the remaining Kungwan forces right about now.
After an hour, she'll wake Ebonheim. And if she recovered enough, the two of them would go back and lend their aid to finish off the rest of the vermin.
But for now, she would leave the goddess to her rest. She had certainly earned it.
A small sense of contentment settled within her as she gazed at the peaceful scenery, the sun setting on the horizon. A soft breeze blew through the trees, stirring the leaves and bringing with it the scent of rain.
Ah—though she hadn't been keeping an accurate count, she was certain that with that spectacular attack, Ebonheim had exceeded her in the number of Kungwans slain by a fair amount.
She tapped her chin, squinting her eyes at Ebonheim.
Best hope she forgets about their wager...