As Meliae stood before them, her playful expression twisted into something far more dangerous. The air around her began to shift, growing heavy with a primal force that seemed to reverberate through the forest itself. Her laughter echoed in the clearing as a surge of power pulsed from her core, the vine tethered to Ygdrana glowing with dark energy.
“You really think you can fight me?” she mocked, her eyes flashing with amusement. “I *am* this forest. Every root, every leaf, every gust of wind—*I am nature itself*.”
Her aura exploded outward, an overwhelming surge of natural energy that forced the heroes to stagger back, their boots digging into the earth as they braced themselves against the onslaught. The trees around them shuddered violently, their branches cracking and twisting under the force of her power. The ground beneath them rippled, as if the forest itself had come alive in response to her will.
Elias' eyes widened as he felt the oppressive weight of her aura press against his body. “Her connection to the void has amplified her abilities far beyond natural limits…” he muttered through gritted teeth.
With a casual wave of her hand, the vines that had coiled lazily around her body shot forward, whipping through the air like living serpents. Gabriel was the first to react, his sword flashing in the dim light as he cleaved through the approaching tendrils.
“*Strike me down if you must, knight*,” Meliae purred. “But you’ll find that I’m not so easily cut down.”
Gabriel’s blade sliced through the vines, severing them cleanly, but no sooner had he done so than the severed ends began to regenerate, the vines knitting themselves back together in an instant, twisting around his sword and yanking it from his grasp.
“Damn it!” Gabriel cursed, stumbling backward as his sword was wrenched from his hands and sent clattering to the ground.
Kaelus rushed forward, his blade gleaming with divine light as he swung it toward Meliae, aiming to sever the vine tether that connected her to Ygdrana. But before his blade could make contact, the ground beneath him erupted, roots surging upward in a sudden explosion of earth and debris, wrapping around his legs and pulling him down with crushing force.
Meliae’s laughter echoed through the clearing as she flicked her wrist again, sending a surge of energy into the roots that held Kaelus captive. “You think severing my connection will stop me? This forest *is* my body now. Every tree, every root, every drop of rain—it all obeys *me*.”
Kaelus struggled against the tightening roots, his muscles straining as he tried to free himself, but the more he fought, the tighter they became. “I can’t… break free!” he growled, the divine light around his sword dimming as the roots drained his energy.
Selena, standing behind Kaelus, extended her hand, summoning a surge of elemental magic to her command. The wind around her howled as she unleashed a barrage of razor-sharp gusts toward Meliae, aiming to slice through her defenses.
But Meliae only smiled. “*Elemental magic? How quaint.*” With a snap of her fingers, the wind around Selena shifted, the very air twisting and bending to Meliae’s will. The gusts that had been meant to tear through her instead reversed direction, swirling around Selena and trapping her in a vortex of her own making.
Selena’s eyes widened as she struggled to regain control of the winds, but they refused to obey her. “She’s… manipulating the elements themselves,” Selena gasped, feeling the pull of the vortex closing in around her.
Meliae watched with amusement as Selena fought against the spiralling winds. “You see, dear, I don’t need to fight you directly. Nature itself bends to my will. What hope do you have when the very air you breathe is mine?”
Elias, his face set in grim determination, raised his staff, his voice low as he began to chant a powerful incantation. The ground beneath his feet shimmered as a pocket of his own subjective world began to form—a space where he could control the very fabric of reality, separate from the influence of the void.
But as his pocket world began to materialize, Meliae’s eyes narrowed. “*Oh, no you don’t, mage.*”
With a sudden surge of power, Meliae’s aura flared, and the natural world around them bent under her control. The trees shivered and groaned, their branches snapping and twisting in impossible directions. The ground itself cracked and split, revealing tendrils of raw, corrupted energy from the void beneath the surface. The very essence of reality seemed to unravel as she extended her influence.
Elias staggered as his pocket world wavered, the boundaries of his magic collapsing under the sheer force of Meliae’s manipulation. He gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he tried to hold the spell together, but the void's influence was too strong.
“You thought you could create a world of your own here?” Meliae taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. “In *my* domain? How adorable.”
With a wave of her hand, the forest responded, and Elias' pocket world shattered, the fragments of his magic dissipating into the air like dust. Elias fell to one knee, gasping for breath as the weight of Meliae’s power bore down on him.
Meliae’s mocking laughter filled the clearing as she sauntered forward, her vines trailing behind her like a queen surveying her domain. “You’re all so predictable. Your magic, your swords, your little elemental tricks—it’s all so *quaint*.”
She paused in front of Kaelus, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “You, especially,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “So noble, so righteous. Yet here you are, powerless before me.”
Kaelus glared up at her, still struggling against the roots that held him captive, but Meliae only smiled, her face inches from his as she whispered, “You can’t fight nature, hero. You can’t fight the inevitable.”
But before she could finish, a sharp cry pierced the air. Kain, standing at a distance, had been quietly praying, his voice low as he called upon a higher power to intervene. His prayers, though whispered, had begun to manifest—light from above descended, forming a protective barrier around the heroes.
Meliae’s eyes widened in surprise as the light clashed against her aura, pushing her back. “*What… is this?*”
Kain’s voice grew louder, filled with conviction. “The power of faith, Meliae. You may control the forest, but there are forces beyond even you!”
Meliae’s grin faltered as the light intensified, pushing her further back, her connection to Ygdrana weakening. For a brief moment, her playful demeanor slipped, replaced by frustration.
But then, with a growl, she regained her composure. “Faith?” she sneered. “Your gods hold no power here. Not anymore.”
With a flick of her wrist, the ground beneath Kain cracked open, roots surging upward to envelop him in a cage of thorny vines. But the barrier of light held, preventing the roots from closing in.
“You’re more troublesome than I thought,” Meliae muttered, her tone laced with irritation.
But even as the heroes pressed their advantage, Meliae’s aura surged again, stronger this time, her power wrapping around the forest and twisting it to her will once more. The battle was far from over, and her next move would be even more devastating.
“I’ll make you regret stepping into *my* domain,” she whispered, her eyes flashing with dark amusement. Kain stood firm, his eyes locked onto Meliae as the battle began to intensify. His prayers resonated in the air, creating a shimmering barrier of light that surrounded him and his comrades. Meliae’s lips curled into a sly grin, her aura flaring as the roots around her twisted and stretched, ready to strike.
“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” she purred, her voice laced with mock admiration. “But you’re standing against the inevitable, priest.”
With a flick of her wrist, the ground beneath Kain erupted, and thick, gnarled roots shot upward, seeking to entangle him. Kain reacted swiftly, chanting an incantation under his breath, and the shimmering light around him solidified into a dome of divine energy. The roots slammed into the barrier, but they recoiled as if burned by the holy light.
“Your power is no match for the divine,” Kain declared, his voice steady.
Meliae laughed, a sound that echoed through the twisted forest. “*Divine*? Oh, little priest, nature is far older and more relentless than your fleeting gods.”
She raised her hand, and the roots, still coiled around the barrier, began to pulse with a dark energy. With a crack, they transformed, shifting into grotesque shapes resembling barbed tendrils, and they lashed out again, wrapping around Kain’s shield and squeezing tighter. This time, the barrier flickered, struggling under the crushing force of the twisted plants.
Meliae’s eyes gleamed as she commanded more of the forest to aid her. A thick, opaque smoke began to pour from the trees around them, filling the air with a poisonous miasma. The smoke was so dense it barely allowed any visibility, and its toxicity was immediate. Even a breath could kill.
Kain tightened his grip on his staff, muttering a prayer for protection. A ripple of energy spread from him, purifying the air around his allies. But Meliae's assault was relentless. The miasma slithered around the shield, creeping closer, seeking any weakness in Kain's defenses.
“You can purify the air, but what about your insides?” Meliae whispered, her voice echoing from everywhere at once.
Without warning, a sound weaved through the smoke—high-pitched, barely perceptible, but devastating in its impact. It sliced through Kain’s barrier like a razor, penetrating his ears and targeting his organs. It was as if every fibre of his being was vibrating with pain, his heart and lungs shaking violently under the pressure.
Kain fell to one knee, clutching his chest. His voice faltered as he tried to continue his prayer, but the sonic waves were tearing him apart from the inside. “I won’t… let you… win…” he gasped, struggling to maintain his focus.
Meliae stepped forward, her smile widening as she watched Kain falter. “Is that all, priest? Your faith, your resolve—it crumbles so easily.”
As Kain fought to stay upright, he raised his hand, sending out a wave of purifying energy that exploded outward, driving back the miasma and disrupting the sonic assault. For a moment, the area around him cleared, and he breathed deeply, centring himself. He wouldn't let her win. Not here.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
But Meliae was not finished. She summoned forth a monstrous plant from the depths of the corrupted forest—its name lost to history, but known to her as *Noxflora*. The plant burst from the ground, its petals dark and shimmering with an unnatural energy. From its centre, it fired a concentrated beam of energy, a crackling projection of life force, aimed directly at Kain.
Kain raised his hand, summoning another barrier, but the force of the beam pushed him back, the sheer power overwhelming his defenses. His feet dug into the dirt as he tried to hold the line, but the pressure was too much. The beam broke through, hitting him square in the chest.
As Kain stumbled backward, gasping for air, Meliae took advantage of the opening. Her vines shot forward, one tendril piercing through Kain's barrier and stabbing into his chest. Poisonous energy pulsed through the tendril, flooding his body with a toxic venom that began to spread rapidly. Kain’s eyes widened in pain, his grip on his staff loosening as the poison took hold.
“Kain!” Selena cried out, rushing forward. But it was too late. Kain collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing as the poison worked its way through his system.
Meliae stood over him, her smile serene. “It’s over, priest. Your gods cannot save you now.”
Selena’s eyes burned with fury as she stepped forward, her hands glowing with the fierce intensity of fire magic. “You think you’re invincible because you control the forest?” she snarled, flames crackling around her. “Then let’s see how well your precious roots burn.”
She thrust her hands forward, and a torrent of fire surged toward Meliae, engulfing the forest in an inferno. The heat from the flames was unimaginable, hotter than a dragon’s breath, as the fire roared toward Meliae with the force of a disintegrating nova.
But Meliae didn’t flinch. She stood calmly in the face of the inferno, her expression unchanged. The flames reached her, wrapping around her body, burning hotter and hotter until they should have reduced her to ashes.
And yet… nothing.
The flames extinguished themselves upon touching her skin, flickering out one by one, unable to harm her. Meliae’s body stood unmarred, her aura pulsing with an eerie calmness.
Selena's eyes widened in shock. “Wha—what? How…?”
Meliae chuckled softly, running a hand through her hair as the last of the flames died out. “You think fire can burn roots? Oh, child… fire can never destroy the foundation of nature. No matter how hot it burns, it will always extinguish itself.”
Selena gritted her teeth, her hands trembling with the residual heat of her failed magic. She had poured everything into that attack, and yet… Meliae had walked through it like it was nothing.
“Your fire is powerful,” Meliae said with amusement, stepping forward. “But it is misplaced. You’re trying to fight me with the wrong weapons. Nature will always prevail. And I am its will.”
With a sudden movement, Meliae’s tendrils lashed out again, this time wrapping around Selena’s wrists, pulling her toward the corrupted forest spirit. Selena struggled, but the vines were too strong.
“So weak,” Meliae muttered under her breath. "Is this all you have to offer?"
But before Meliae could finish her sentence, a sharp pain shot through her chest as a knife pierced her from behind. Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment before narrowing in amusement. “Admirable…” she murmured, turning with an unnaturally fast motion.
In the blink of an eye, her tendrils struck out at lightning speed, a single blow slamming into Selena's stomach with devastating force. Selena's body convulsed as the wind was knocked out of her, blood spurting from her mouth as she doubled over in pain. Her eyes glazed, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, her vision blurring.
But as her body crumpled, it flickered and vanished—nothing more than a clone made of wind magic.
“Clever girl,” Meliae said with a touch of excitement in her voice, a twisted smile spreading across her face. “So, there’s more to you after all.”
Without warning, dozens of Selene duplicates materialized around the battlefield, each identical to the original down to the finest detail. Their appearances, expressions, even their subtle movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they were all the real Selena. The forest was suddenly filled with her image, each version of her looking determined and fierce.
Meliae’s eyes lit up with amusement as she watched the display. “Multiplying like weeds, are we?” she chuckled.
The duplicates moved swiftly, converging on Meliae in unison. But before they could get close, the ground beneath them erupted with a swarm of thorny roots. The tendrils lashed out viciously, impaling and shredding most of the clones in a single brutal strike. The remaining duplicates found themselves ensnared in Meliae’s trap—thick, writhing roots wrapped around their limbs, pulling them into compromising positions.
The tendrils coiled around their bodies, lifting the helpless clones into the air. Their arms were pinned behind their backs, their legs spread wide, their clothing torn at odd angles. The vines slithered across their skin in a disturbingly intimate manner, binding them in poses that exposed their forms in ways that were both vulnerable and enticing. The clones moaned in unison as the poisonous energy from the roots invaded their bodies, the sound echoing through the forest as they shuddered in collective agony and pleasure.
Each one disappeared into nothingness as the poison overwhelmed them, dissolving into thin air until only the real Selena remained. She stood on shaky legs, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her skin was pale, her body trembling from the effects of the poison coursing through her veins.
Still, a triumphant grin spread across her face as she realized her true goal had been achieved. The boys were free, no longer ensnared by Meliae’s trap. She had bought them enough time.
“Toying with us…” Selena rasped, her voice weak but defiant, “...you’ll regret it.”
With that, Selena collapsed onto the ground, her body limp as the poison took hold. She had fought with everything she had, pushing her body far past its limits. Her eyes fluttered closed as darkness began to claim her, her final thought a flicker of satisfaction at having outwitted Meliae, even for just a moment.
Meliae’s playful demeanor soured as she stared down at the fallen mage. “Annoying little brat…” she hissed, her vines recoiling back to her. Despite her amusement, the mage had managed to frustrate her, and she didn’t like being outplayed, even momentarily. Her aura flared, and her eyes glowed with barely concealed irritation.
She stood there, towering over the unconscious Selena, her annoyance palpable as she considered the next move. For the first time, the forest spirit was beginning to realize that these heroes, while weak, were far more troublesome than she had anticipated. With a swift, almost instinctive reaction, Meliae narrowly evaded Kaelus's sword, *Gram*, the blade slicing the air where her body had been just moments before. Her eyes widened in shock—she hadn't anticipated the ferocity of his strike. Before she could regain her composure, Gabriel lunged toward her, a blindingly fast blur of motion. His sword sliced cleanly through her, severing her body into two perfect halves.
Meliae gasped in disbelief, her upper and lower halves collapsing to the ground. Pain, sharp and unbearable, coursed through her, but worse was the realization that followed. She had been alive since the dawn of time itself, her essence tied to the natural order, her power unmatched by mortals. Yet here, in this forest, with these mere humans, she found herself outmatched.
Emerging from the shadows like a harbinger of doom, Elias approached her fragmented form, his hand glowing with dark energy. "This is the end," he murmured coldly, casting his life nullification spell.
As the spell connected with Meliae's shattered body, a scream erupted from her lips, filled with terror and fury. She could feel it—her very essence draining away, the life that had sustained her for eons slipping from her grasp. "Impossible..." she muttered, her voice weak, trembling. Her body crumbled before her eyes, turning into dust, each fragment disintegrating as her connection to the sacred tree, her source of power, was severed.
With one final, primal howl of despair, Meliae vanished, her existence reduced to nothing more than lifeless ash swirling in the wind. The sacred tree, once pulsating with an ancient, mystical energy, stood silent. The bond had been broken, and the forest fell into a deep, mournful silence.
As Meliae's life force dissipated, the once-possessed forest seemed to take a breath, as though freed from the oppressive grip of her influence. The towering trees, previously twisted and writhing with malevolent energy, stilled. The unnatural moans and eerie whispers that had filled the air ceased, leaving behind only the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
Yet, despite the forest's seeming return to its natural state, something still lingered—a dark, insidious presence. The void's corruption had sunk deep into the land, entwining itself with the very essence of the trees, the soil, and the air. Shadows flickered unnaturally in the periphery of vision, and the faint hum of void energy pulsed beneath the surface, barely noticeable yet impossible to ignore for those with heightened senses like Elias and Selena.
The heroes stood amidst the corrupted landscape, their victory over Meliae bittersweet. Though they had defeated the forest's guardian, the void's presence remained, festering like a wound that refused to heal. The land still bore scars from its long torment, and the void’s essence clung to every root, every branch, a reminder that true restoration had not yet been achieved.
Selena, still weak from the battle, glanced at the trees with a sense of unease. “It’s not over, is it?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
“No,” Elias replied, his voice grim as his eyes scanned the tainted landscape. “The void runs deep here. It won’t be easy to purge.”
Kaelus sheathed his sword, the blade glowing faintly in the fading light of the corrupted forest. "We’ve stopped the immediate threat, but the land is still tainted. This place... it’s far from saved."
Gabriel, usually the first to voice his defiance, remained silent, his gaze lingering on the darkened trees.
As Selena knelt beside Kain's still body, her face showed a quietude, almost masking the concern beneath her calm exterior. Elias was already at work, his hands glowing with soft, healing light as he tended to Kain’s wounds. The flicker of blue energy from Elias' palms contrasted with the darkened forest around them.
Selena, her voice a hushed murmur, asked, "Is the poison fatal?"
Elias, without breaking concentration, replied, “No. Kain possesses a blessing from the gods. There is no poison that can claim his life. The exhaustion, not the toxin, is what affected you all. That's why you, too, are still alive.”
Selena’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn’t known about Kain’s divine blessing. A rare feeling of vulnerability passed through her as she reflected on how close they had all been to death.
Suddenly, the sharp, metallic rasp of a blade being drawn shattered the quiet atmosphere. Gabriel stood a few paces away, his expression dark, holding Zerachiel, his sword, in his hands. His eyes were locked on the sacred tree, Ygdrana. The intent in his gaze was clear — he was going to destroy it.
Kaelus rushed forward, his expression tense. “Gabriel, wait! You can’t destroy the tree!”
But Gabriel’s irritation was palpable, his jaw clenched as he met Kaelus’s plea with a glare. "Meliae was the tree's manifestation. She said it herself. She'll probably be revived at some point, and when that happens, who knows? Maybe she’ll..." His voice faltered, his thoughts flashing to the memory of Pandora’s lifeless body. Rage surged through him, and with a guttural roar, he swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Ygdrana in two.
A loud clash rang through the air as Elias stepped between Gabriel and the tree, blocking the strike with his twin daggers. Sparks flew from the collision, and Gabriel, eyes wide with disbelief, stumbled back. He hadn’t expected Elias to be able to stop him.
“What are you doing?” Gabriel growled, frustration evident in his voice.
Elias, his face calm but eyes sharp, said nothing for a moment. He studied Gabriel, reading his emotional state before finally speaking, "Ygdrana is a vital part of this world. It cannot simply be destroyed because of what it was forced to become. We need it alive."
Gabriel’s grip on his sword tightened, but he said nothing, the anger in his heart battling the logic Elias presented.
Selena, quietly watching the exchange, walked slowly toward the sacred tree. Her fingers brushed against its bark, and instantly, she felt the sorrow resonating from within. It was like an echo of pain, a cry so pure and so real that it shook her to her core. Her face softened with empathy, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. As the droplet touched the soil beneath the tree, something miraculous happened.
From the spot where her tear fell, a small flower emerged. Its petals shimmered with a radiant, silvery light, glowing softly amidst the darkness of the corrupted forest. It was a rare bloom, almost unheard of, with petals shaped like delicate feathers, trembling with life. The flower seemed to radiate joy, its tiny head swaying toward Selena’s touch as if it were alive, grateful, and full of hope.
Selena gasped in awe, kneeling down to gently pat the flower’s head. It wavered under her touch, as if dancing in celebration. Despite the void’s corruption around them, this little flower defied the darkness, standing as a symbol of resilience.
Gabriel watched from a distance, his irritation still simmering beneath the surface, but seeing the life spring forth from the tree made him pause. Slowly, he sheathed Zerachiel, his eyes still clouded with frustration, before turning and heading for the forest’s exit without a word.
Ygdrana, the sacred tree, was more than just a source of magic or life for the forest. It was an ancient entity, tied deeply to the natural order of the world itself. Its roots connected with the earth, its branches touched the skies, and its essence maintained the delicate balance between the elements. Without it, the world would lose a vital force, a guardian that preserved the cycle of life and death, growth and decay. Destroying it would create an imbalance that could ripple through the very fabric of the planet.
Elias, Kaelus, and Selena exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from solemn understanding to quiet awe. They all knew Ygdrana's importance now — it wasn’t just a tree; it was a cornerstone of the natural world.
As the group silently acknowledged the weight of their discovery, Selena, still kneeling beside the radiant flower, whispered, “We have to protect it. No matter what.”
The others nodded, understanding that while their battle against Meliae was over, the fight to protect what remained of the world was far from finished. As the group gathered their strength to leave the now quiet forest, Selena lingered by the glowing flower. Her heart ached as she gazed at the small, radiant bloom, a symbol of life in a place that had been so utterly corrupted. She reached out again, her fingers brushing the delicate petals as if trying to memorise the sensation.
"Elias..." she spoke softly, not turning to look at him. "Is there no way to save the forest? To cleanse it of the void's corruption?"
Elias, standing nearby, his face solemn, replied with a heavy heart, "The only way to truly save the forest is to defeat the Demon King. The void’s corruption runs too deep, and only by cutting it off at its source can we hope to heal the world."
Selena bit her lip, a tear escaping down her cheek as she nodded. She knew Elias was right, but it didn’t make it any easier. With a final, sorrowful glance at the lone flower, she whispered, "I'm sorry..." before standing and turning away, leaving the bloom to sway gently in the wind.
The group began their trek out of the forest, their steps heavy, but their resolve firm. As they walked, the tension slowly began to lift, and the eerie silence of the corrupted forest was replaced by idle chatter amongst the heroes.
Selena, still processing everything that had happened, looked over at Kain, who had recovered remarkably quickly. "Kain, you’re up already. How do you feel?"
Kain, still looking a little worn but managing a half-smile, nodded. "I'm alright. Thanks to Elias’ healing and the godblessing, I’ll be fine."
"The godblessing?" Selena asked, curious. "I didn’t know it could nullify poison. Why didn’t you tell me?"
Kain chuckled softly, though his voice was still a little hoarse from the fight. "It’s not something I talk about often. The godblessing is more than just a shield from poison. It’s a divine gift that protects us from curses and dark magic, to an extent. It’s not something I can control, but it activates in times of great need. That’s why Meliae’s poison didn’t kill me, or any of us, for that matter. It’s like an invisible safeguard."
"That's... incredible," Selena said, her eyes wide with awe. "I had no idea."
Gabriel, walking ahead of them with Zerachiel resting on his shoulder, muttered, "Wish it had stopped Meliae from almost killing all of us."
Kaelus chuckled. "You always want the flashy solutions, Gabriel. Sometimes we’ve got to rely on more than just brute force."
Gabriel shot him a look, his irritation not quite faded. "And yet brute force is what kept that tree from reviving and turning into another Meliae."
Selena sighed, looking ahead into the distance, the path leading out of the forest slowly becoming more visible. "I still wish we didn’t have to leave that flower behind. It felt like there was something pure still left in this place."
"That flower," Elias spoke, his voice calm and thoughtful, "is a sign that not all is lost. Even in the darkest of places, life persists. The forest is still tainted, but maybe one day, after the Demon King is defeated, it can be reborn. For now, we move forward. The real battle lies ahead."
The others nodded in agreement, their mood shifting from reflection to determination. Their journey wasn’t over, and the stakes were higher than ever. As they walked, Selena glanced back one last time, her thoughts lingering on the flower and the sacred tree, hoping that they would one day return to a world that no longer needed to cry for help.