He felt his body slowly but inexorably weaken and waste away, as if his life force was drained away, leaving behind a husk devoid of vitality and soul. The merest of movements felt like an insurmountable feat. Gritting his teeth with determination he raised his hands, and what he saw made him swear in despair. His hands were bleached of all color, the sickly white of death was only interrupted by the green veins that snaked up his arm, carrying filth and disease.
His eyes closed for a moment, trying to regain some semblance of composure and think of a way out of the imminent death that was approaching with every step of the creature’s towering form.
With a sense of trepidation, he cautiously glanced out of the corner of his eye, catching a glimpse of the ominous creature. It stood tall, its hands raised in an otherworldly display. Vines snaked around, a poor mimicry of hands, moving and twisting in an eerie rhythm. The bloated plants that lay scattered around the creature's feet seemed to come alive, their swollen forms resembling ravenous insects drawn to a feast. They reacted to the creature's movements as if under a spell, swaying and writhing as if hypnotized, following the instructions of a maestro.
Every subtle gesture from the creature elicited a response from the surrounding plants, as if they were enchanted by its presence. The plants obediently followed its trail, as if compelled to chase the elusive sun, their finger-like stems bending and arching to mimic its path. It was a terrifying sight, the symbiotic dance between creature and flora, as though they were bound by an unseen bond, an ancient harmony that defied explanation.
Talax in his desperation, tried to cast Rejuvenating water but his hands felt so heavy that he was unable to perform the necessary movements for the spell to manifest. He didn’t give up though, he tried again and again, trying to grasp any chance of salvation.
The creature’s heavy footsteps drew nearer, with its every step Talax could feel vibrations travel through his weakened body. Behind the creature a carpet of white, writhing forms followed, eager to feast on their next victim.
He was going to die...
Strong hands grabbed him by his mid-section and was thrown over a bulging shoulder. With surprise he realized that Qalo had managed to resist the spores that polluted the air and had rendered Talax immobile. He could spot however green lines across the orc’s back and his skin looked ashen, having lost the green tinge that signaled the orc’s health and vitality.
He heard Qalo groan with strain from having to carry Talax in his weakened state, but despite his weakness and absolute terror the orc didn’t give up and kept going, trying to outrun the terrifying creature.
Another roar shook the glade, and an otherworldly sound like two giant trees banging together made Qalo’s shoulders tense and lose his step. “Careful...” Talax mumbled but the orc didn’t seem to have heard him.
Talax looked around and saw the blistered plants stretch and writhe trying get to them, but Qalo didn’t give them a chance. He jumped, crushed with his feet or simply evaded the semi-sentient plants. Occasionally some managed to latch on to the orc’s feet, that made him lose his step and his knees shake violently, but eventually he was able to dislodge them.
Talax was observing impotently, unable to do much more in his incapacitated state. His friend’s labored breath made him fear that they would end up on the ground helpless and paralyzed before long. Qalo however, seemed to be determined to leave the glade and seek the safety of the forest.
He saw the creature pick up its pace, as if it knew that once they reached the line of trees its prey would be that much harder to catch. With mounting horror, Talax saw the creature extend its hands and the vines that made up its hands stretching impossible long. With a swift flick of its hand, the creature sent the swarm of vines their way, like whips slicing air.
Talax closed his eyes instinctively, waiting to be slashed by multiple vines. All he felt though was a feint gust of air. With surprise he saw the creature retract its vines and roar in impotent rage. “That was close.” He murmured and he heard Qalo murmur back, out of breath, “Almost there.”
Talax felt his body fight back the poison, despite the spores assaulting his body constantly. He was able to shake off some of the overbearing weariness and weakness. He managed to raise his head and look back, his head bouncing with Qalo’s every step, towards the line separating the glade with the forest. To his delight they were almost there.
He spotted Franny waiting for them with eyes brimming with fear and restlessness, ready to bolt the moment they reached his position. Talax wanted to shout at the foolish noble to run, his heavy armor made him especially slow, and once they reached him, he would lug behind. He had to create as much distance as possible, rather than lingering and waiting for them.
The creature picked up its pace, like a rolling boulder picking up momentum. Its speed was accelerating at a disturbing pace, closing the few dozen meters that separated them too quickly for Talax’s comfort.
“Qalo! Quickly go faster! It’s closing in!” Talax bellowed, his voice strained with urgency. The orc grunted, struggling to respond under the weight of exhaustion. With a menacing gesture, the creature unleashed a wave of vines, hurtling towards them. Reacting on pure instinct, Talax thrust his hand forward, invoking the simplest spell at his command, Stone spike. A slender spike, measuring twenty centimeters, materialized before his palm and was launched towards the encroaching tangle of vines.
In that heart-stopping moment, all Talax could see was a nightmarish thicket of undulating tendrils, aimed directly at him. Miraculously, his spike collided with a vine that had been mere centimeters away from crashing onto his face, shattering into countless minuscule fragments. His spell was quite weak, but it still managed to stop the advancing vine that was about to collide with his head.
His fleeting relief was abruptly shattered as a guttural cry of agony tore through Talax's throat. Two additional tentacles slithered through the chaos, snaking their way towards him with sinister intent. Like vicious serpents, they lashed out, mercilessly carving deep gashes into his flesh. Groaning in excruciating pain, Talax struggled to regain his composure, but before he could steady himself, Qalo staggered, doubling over in anguish. Talax scrambled to stay in place, grabbing wildly at Qalo’s back, as the orc tried to stay upright.
He heard Ferdinand’s scared yell in the distance, but all his attention was on the creature that was looking down at them almost reproachfully. Talax thought he saw two black orbs full of malice beneath the mask, but his terror of being this close to the creature could have made him see things that weren’t there.
Qalo with a pained groan managed to stand up straight, making Talax flap his hands wildly trying to stay balanced, and started running again. The creature didn’t seem bothered, it acted as if it was playing a game of mouse and cat, chasing its victims for its amusement.
Talax was ready to cast his Stone spike spell as soon the creatures lashed out with its vines, but he realized that this close he could do nothing to defend against so many attacks. If they wanted a chance of escape, they had to gain some distance. And to do that...
Undeterred by the relentless chaos unfolding around him, Talax mustered every ounce of concentration to resume his incantations. The nerve-wracking circumstances, coupled with the jarring jolts caused by Qalo's every step, made spellcasting an impossible task. Each movement felt like an uphill battle, as the stress of the situation threatened to overwhelm him.
Persisting through the searing pain caused by Qalo's sharp shoulder blade grazing against him and the wicked lash of a stray vine scoring his cheek, Talax continued with his attempts. He channeled his focus, seizing the precious moment of respite every so often to complete his spell. The third attempt was successful, a testament to his unwavering resolve. A delicate shroud of water materialized, enveloping the orc's hulking frame before gradually sinking into his straining muscles.
Qalo gave a surprised yelp, unaware of Talax’s actions but then a relieved sigh escaped his lips. His shoulders relaxed and his muscles started pumping with renewed vigor. Talax wanted to yell in triumph but instead he focused back on the creature that seemed to fall back behind. Realizing that its prey was gaining ground, it sent another volley of vines, this time Talax was ready and used both his hands to hurl stone spikes at his opponent.
With each gesture, he conjured and hurled stone spikes in rapid succession, feeling the rush of his mana coursing through his pathways at an alarming rate. The strain on his mana reserves was noticeable, as each casting caused a minor but perceptible depletion. Yet, undeterred by the dwindling reservoir, Talax persisted. While some of the stone spikes veered off target, others found their mark, and made the creature hesitate just for a moment.
A moment was all they needed because Talax’s world suddenly grew dark, and he realized with a start that they had managed to cross the festering glade and enter the unbroken forest. He slapped Qalo’s back trying to get his attention and shouted.
“Put me down!” His body was gradually recovering from the effects of the poison now that the freakish plants weren’t around. Though he could still sense traces of the poison coursing through his veins, spreading from the deep wounds the vines had scored. He was hopeful that his body would purge it eventually.
The orc, relieved to be rid of him, practically hurled him to the ground, narrowly avoiding stepping on Talax as he stumbled unsteadily, like a drunk. For a moment, weakness washed over Talax, but in the next instant, he found himself sprinting after Qalo.
Out of the corner of his eye, Talax caught sight of Franny awkwardly running ahead, having a slight head start. His heavy, metal armor clanked loudly, like it was ready to fall apart. Talax was about to sigh in relief, when he heard a resounding crash from behind him and the forest floor shook like it was hit by a devastating earthquake.
He stole a glance and swore like never before. The living dead tree was following close behind, and it was once again doing the weird dance thing with its tentacled hands. All around him the forest seemed to come alive, a constant rustling could be heard from every corner of the forest with a disconcerting hum. Branches started to sway and change position trying to impede their progress, roots rose like hungry snakes striking at them, intending to snatch them away and flowers gave off colorful plumes of spores trying to stun and poison them.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Talax shouted in frustration and unsheathed his sword, hacking and slashing at the sea of roots.
“What the fuck is this thing? It can control the whole forest!” His rage at his inability to fight back successfully was overwhelming, he could actually feel the blood ringing in his temples.
Qalo shouted back, “It’s a forest guardian.” As he trampled over a bush that tried to ensnare him with its thorny branches.
“A forest guardian?” Talax yelled with incredulity. “It has killed half the forest!” A root rose up from the ground and with alarming speed coiled around his sword hand. Talax almost fell over from his momentum and he felt his hand groan from the strain. With a pained yelp he stopped and let his sword fall from his trapped hand. With an agile move he swiped the blade with his left hand and slashed at the constricting root.
For a moment the root wiggled but then fell away dead. Talax started running again, his breath coming with pained huffs. He felt sharp stabs in his sides with his every step but the continuous crashes from the guardian's destructive path made him sprint with all his might.
For long minutes the three companions ran, they ran! Qalo was far ahead with Talax following and the armored noble last. The relentless pursuit didn’t stop for a moment, with the forest guardian determined to see them dead. Talax had to stop multiple times and hack away at attacking branches, vines and roots. He was even confronted by a weird flower, that once it spotted him, it started launching a barrage of long, sharp looking thorns. Talax wasted precious moments making a wide arc around the plant, since he didn’t have the time to fight it.
The guardian came dangerously close to catching him but as if by a miracle the ground gave way, and he plummeted down a small cliff. He came out a little dazed, but the fall had earned him a few precious moments and enough distance to be safe from the creature’s searching vines.
After that though he lost sight of Qalo. Franny on the other hand, could be tracked by the nonstop clamor of his armor. Talax could spot the nobleman even through the heart stopping roars of the guardians and the ominous rustling all around him.
Suddenly he heard a loud thump and a pained yelp making him stop in his tracks. His eyes searched through the dense undergrowth trying to find any sign of Franny. He started running towards the yell when another shout made him pick up his pace.
With his heart beating wildly, both from overexertion and fear, he waded through bushes and short trees. The ground had turned muddy when he fell from the small cliff and the wet ground made it even more difficult to run.
He heard him before he saw him. Pained grunts and grinding metal met his ears as he hacked at two vines trying to bar his progress. There, in a pit of mud Ferdinand was ensnared by a plant with a bulbous head, lined with sharp teeth. Vines dotted with sharp thorns had coiled around Franny's neck, leaving behind a horrifying trail of blood. His feet were half submerged into the pit and his heavy armor made it impossible to move and defend against the creeping vines.
Talax stopped for a moment, observing and assessing the situation. The thundering crashes, a never-ending reminder of the approaching calamity. With nimble fingers he unstrung his bow and took aim.
Mana coursed through his channels as he activated explosive arrow and entered the cocked arrow, slowly gaining a blue shine. For a long moment Talax saw Franny struggle against the suffocating vines, slowly being drugged towards the plant’s hungry mouth, which was snapping with anticipation, all but salivating.
When he felt the click, and mana stopped pouring into the arrow, that had adopted an ethereal blue light, Talax let it fly with a silent whoosh. The arrow flew, slicing the air like a knife and crashed into the open mouth with a loud boom. A wave of mana erupted from the impact, sending jagged teeth flying and shredding the probing vines. The living plant gave a piercing moan and its leaves and vines flopped down lifelessly.
Talax quickly put his bow back into its place and ran to Franny who was trying to untangle himself from the multiple vines looped around his neck. As he approached the noble, Franny looked at him with desperate eyes, begging silently for help. Talax patted his belt until he found his dagger and with careful steps, so that he wasn’t sucked in as well by the shifting mud, he knelt next to the thrashing man.
“Calm the fuck down.” He intoned, trying to draw the man’s attention. Franny looked at him and pointed behind them. “It found us!” The man didn’t seem like he was going to relax anytime soon, so Talax used the only way that he knew would make the haughty noble to shut up.
“Shut your spoiled trap, you fucking moron or I’ll jab this knife so far up your noble ass that you will be shitting cutlery for the next month!” Spit flew out of Talax’s mouth as he shouted at the panicked Franny who looked at his outburst with wide eyes and open mouth.
“Good, now stay still.” Talax’s hand shook as he cut away the tangled vines. He could hear the forest guarding just a few meters behind them, the trees were groaning as the creature passed through the dense vegetation and some gave way by toppling like towers made of cards.
“Finally!” Talax exclaimed when the last of the trappings fell away. He helped Franny up; the noble was ready to run but Talax, seeing the man’s sweaty and red face, stopped him.
“Give me three seconds.” Talax said while Franny looked at him with incredulous eyes. “Are you serious?” Franny shouted but Talax paid him no mind and started casting. Every word, every hand movement felt like a stretched eternity.
The mere two-second casting time was nothing in the grand scheme of things, but in their present predicament, it felt like an eternity that could bring their lives to a sudden end. With a thunderous roar that reverberated through the forest floor, the forest guardian emerged, like a herald of devastation amidst the ancient trees. One by one, trees toppled to the left and right, creating a billowing cloud of dust that constricted Talax's throat, triggering a fit of coughing.
With his spell finished and Franny rejuvenated, he used his sleeve to avoid swallowing anymore dirt and mumbled “Let’s go!” Franny nodded and they both raced as fast as they could.
Talax could hear the menacing sound of whips being hurled his way, gouging deep scars into the earth behind him, but he dared not glance back. He jumped behind a tree a moment before another barrage of attacking vines hit him. He felt the tree shake violently and groan in protest by the vicious attack. He saw Franny running a few meters to his side using his armored hands to deflect branches and vines that attacked him with wild abandon.
They both ran with desperate ferocity trying to outrun the four-meter monster. Their feet hit hard on the hardpacked earth sending leaves and pebbles in the air, their labored breaths seemed to come out of their very souls, way past their usual stamina and their sweat drenched faces held a grim determination.
The forest guardian, just a few meters behind, pursued them relentlessly. So close to its prey, it could actually taste their untainted flesh, the perfect vessels for its corruption and disease that had started to even affect the very fundamental nature of the forest. Its hands had transformed into a maul like shape, using them as a battering arm to make way through the dense forest. One after another, the very trees it was entrusted to protect, fell victim to its obsession with corruption, leaving behind only defiled earth and dying life.
With a mighty pummel, the forest guardian shattered a colossal tree, causing it to crash down with a bone-crushing impact between the two companions. Hurtled through the air, Talax and Franny were at the mercy of the flailing branches, which left behind deep gashes and a searing pain. Talax tumbled across the ground, battered by rocks and debris until he finally came to an abrupt halt, colliding with a massive boulder. Dazed and disoriented, he blinked several times to clear his head, trying to regain his bearings.
Suddenly, an ominous snapping sound jolted Talax upright, instantly dispelling his confusion and uncertainty. All traces of disorientation vanished as he found himself confronted by the looming presence of the forest guardian, casting a shadow over him with a chilling intensity.
Out of the corner of his eye, Talax noticed Franny rising to his feet, swaying momentarily before launching into a run. Without hesitation, Talax followed suit, leaving the seething forest guardian in their wake. It sent vines trying to catch him, but Talax narrowly avoided the sharp appendages by sheer luck.
Every muscle in his body protested, trembling with exhaustion, as if his very veins were coursing with acid. Fatigue threatened to overwhelm him, and his mind grew increasingly hazy, surrendering most functions to autopilot.
Just as he was on the verge of collapsing, a familiar voice pierced through the fog. "There!" Franny's exclamation jolted Talax into momentary clarity. He strained his gaze, focusing on the distance ahead, where he spotted Qalo gesturing urgently, wearing a wicked expression on his face. Talax felt a surge of confusion. The orc was terrified of the forest guardian, the mere sight of the creature reducing the tusked man to trembling fear. And yet, now Qalo was grinning like a fool.
Unless...
He had found something that could save them! With renewed hope Talax gave all of his remaining energy and pumped his tired muscles to the max.
Before too long the two humans reached the half orc who joined them with a wild grin.
“Whatever you see don’t stop!” Talax glanced at the orc who didn't seem to notice him, looking straight ahead. “Don’t hesitate, until we reach safety don’t stop.” Qalo repeated.
Briefly, confusion enveloped the two humans, but in the next instant, the suffocating forest gave way to open space. Tents constructed from hides dotted the landscape, while campfires flickered with pots brimming with mysterious concoctions. An offensive odor pervaded the air, accompanied by unsettling bouts of laughter that assailed Talax's senses.
In unison, two dozen gnolls swiveled their heads, locking their gaze upon the trio as they entered their camp and ran like they were fleeing from a demon. Before the gnolls could recover from their astonishment Talax and his friends had already crossed half the camp. As the gnolls roused from their stupor and started issuing frenzied commands in their deranged language, the forest guardian made its grand entrance.
A cacophony of disbelieving howls mixed with fear erupted in the wake of the guardian's entrance and the gnolls forgot all about the three men. With a swift shift in their priorities, the gnolls mobilized swiftly, their intent now directed towards protecting the entrance of the dungeon, as commanded.
Before Talax could even enter the innocuous hole that led into the dungeon the slaughter had already begun.
The forest guardian used its left hand as a sledgehammer and pulverized two of the attacking gnolls while his right hand let out a web of vines that lunged at the closest gnolls, piercing their bodies and leaving behind spores that in a few short minutes would bloom into the corpse like plants.
Meanwhile the trees surrounding the clearing acted in the behest of their corrupted guardian and sent roots deep underground, targeting the gnolls that stayed back and sent arrow after arrow at the attacking guardian.
The roots sprouted from beneath the ground, resembling striking serpents in their speed and precision, catching the unsuspecting gnolls off guard with an overwhelming ferocity. The majority met their demise instantly, impaled by these silent killers, their lives extinguished in an instant. However, a handful of unfortunate souls suffered a fate far more agonizing, their lives slowly drained by the constricting roots, until their bones grinded to dust, and their eyes burst like water balloons.
Talax saw the chaos around him with a detached curiosity and thanked the stars they managed to avoid a direct confrontation. He just hoped the gnolls would buy them enough time to enter the dungeon...
Hollowing yells and gurgling calls sang in the air as they ran at the side of the mountain where a black hole beckoned them with safety. A couple of gnolls tried to attack them, but after a couple of missed arrows they turned back to the more pressing threat of the guardian.
Amidst the chaotic scramble, Talax heard an earth-shattering crunch behind him. Turning his gaze, he witnessed a particularly formidable gnoll, equipped with a well-maintained armor, succumb to the ravenous maw of the guardian. Its jaws unhinged grotesquely, revealing teeth that would stir envy in a great white shark, as it swiftly cleaved the screaming gnoll in half. Blood and intestines fell down in a shower of red that made Talax gulp nervously and run faster.
Hearing the disturbing sounds of the snacking creature made the three companions run without looking back. They didn’t look back when they entered the big black hole of the dungeon, they didn’t look back when blackness was all they could see. They didn’t look back.