Everyone gathered around the dungeon core. A heavy silence filled the air as everyone stared at it in anticipation. Bella clutched her hands together tightly as she tried to hold back the tears. Nathaniel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she gave him a small smile in appreciation.
“Elven Grove located.” Seneschal’s voice broke the silence. “Pulling up images now.”
A projection appeared of the sky, but the image shifted downward until they were staring down at the ground. A large stump, decorated with hundreds of rings, sat in the center of the grove. Smaller trees, barren of leaves, circled the massive stump with smoke coming from their tops. Multiple tents filled the empty space with blazing campfires, and a makeshift road could be seen leaving the grove.
Bella whimpered at the sight, and Nathaniel pulled her into a hug. “What are we looking at?” he whispered into her ear.
“They cut her down.” Bella wiped her eyes. “They cut Nyena down.”
“Was she your friend?" Hope hugged Bella’s leg.
“Who’s Nyena?” Ralia asked, looking between Bella and the picture.
Bella pointed to the massive stump. “All groves are built around a Dryad’s tree.” She sniffled. “Nyena was the dryad of our grove. She was like a second mother to me, especially when we bonded, and I became the Green Lady.”
“Why haven’t they moved the elves out?” Nathaniel scratched his chin. “Does this have something to do with those materials Delimaar’s been selling.”
“The dryad infuses the land around it with magic,” Bella replied, “It allows for special flora to grow around it, particularly those that are rich in mana. It even effects the wildlife.”
“I can confirm that statement.” Seneschal said as the picture changed. Various blues and greens of dull hues filled the image. “The area is infused with mana, but it’s quickly fading. I estimate that it’ll run out by the end of the year.” Bella cried into her hands.
“So, he’s using the grove as a slave camp to harvest the remaining resources.” Nathaniel sighed in disgust. “Can we get a closer look?”
“Releasing short-ranged drones.”
Multiple images appeared as the drones flew down to the grove. The land was torn apart, and trash littered the ground. Dark elves huddled together in ragged blankets for warmth while the slavers walked around in warm cloaks. A female elf stepped out of a treehouse, and Nathaniel released a low growl at the sight of her swollen belly.
“Are those the broken collars?” Nathaniel asked, holding Bella close.
“Yes sir.”
“Display mana signatures. I want to see who the collars are assigned to.” The projections lit up with a multitude of colors. Each collar glowed a different color that matched with a different slaver. “Shit.”
“It appears that the collars aren’t assigned to one person.” Seneschal said with a low growl.
Nathaniel nodded in understanding. “Recall the drones.” He ordered. “Send a message out to Elias and Barin. We’ll need drivers for the carts, and they need to be loaded with medical supplies.”
“Yes sir.”
“How long will it take us to get there?”
“About twenty-two hours at most. If you avoid Rumand entirely and take the main road heading west, you should be able to get cut a few hours off the trip.”
“Then see to it camping supplies are added as well.” Nathaniel looked at Bella. “I want to leave before sunrise, that way, we can get there by nightfall.”
“Understood sir.”
----------------------------------------
Dusk was settling quickly. A layer of snow covered the forest floor, and the bare trees left the sky exposed. Elias, Sierra, Krietsky, and Barrett sat on the carts, huddled in warm blankets, waiting until they were needed. Barrett looked miserable, and he kept glaring at Nathaniel who stood ready in his power armor.
Nathaniel ignored the boy and headed over to Bella. She wore a thick coat with a scarf wrapped around her neck and ears. The leather pants of her under armor peaked out from underneath the leather greaves, and her belt was loaded with extra cartridges for her rifle.
“Here.” Nathaniel handed her a pair of leather gloves. Metal inlays lined the glove, and they gleamed with the teal gleam of arcane metal. “They’re your people, so you should free them.” He smiled at her.
Bella smiled as she slipped the gloves on. “How do they work?”
“The runes on glove are meant to mimic a person’s mana signature.” Nathaniel gently showed her the rune on the back of the hand. “the activation rune is on the thumb, so just dip it in the blood to activate it. After that, you should be able to take the collars off.” Bella nodded with a warm smile. Nathaniel returned the smile. “Just focus on your people Bella. We can take care of ourselves.”
“Thank you, m-Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel smirked. “You girls ready?”
“Yes!” Hope skipped over in gleaming steel armor. A massive, spiked club dragged across the ground behind her.
“Yes master.” Ralia smiled viciously. Her hands stroked the shaft of her spear.
“We’ll send word when we’re ready for you.” Nathaniel called out to Elias, who nodded in response. He turned to Bella, Hope, and Ralia. “Here’s the plan: Ralia and I will charge in and kill the slavers, Hope will secure the elves and keep them out of harm’s way, and Bella will cover us. I also have Seneschal watching over us with the drone. He’ll let us know if any try to flee. Once the slavers are dead, we’ll bring in the wagons to treat any of the injured.”
“What do we do afterwards?” Hope said with a worried look.
“One step at a time Hope.” Nathaniel rubbed her head. “Let’s rescue the elves first.” Hope nodded with a sad frown. “Let’s go.”
Nathaniel led the group into the forest. The dim blue lights from the drones guided their path. Every now and then, one would flash as a pair of slavers stepped into view. The drones would catch their attention, and as the slavers gawked, Bella sniped them from the barren brush. The bodies fell to the ground, and Nathaniel was grateful that the arcane rifle was completely silent.
“Mark the location of these bodies Seneschal.” Nathaniel ordered the drone. “We’ll collect them after the grove is liberated.”
The drone beeped in acknowledgement and flew deeper into the woods. Soon, the campfires came into sight. Nathaniel’s HUD lit up the thirty slavers loitering in the clearing in red, and the eighteen elves in green.
“Sir, there are no other patrols at the moment.” Seneschal’s voice rang through his helmet. “All slavers are currently in the grove.”
“Understood.” Nathaniel took a deep breath. Power seared through his veins as the Exponential Enhancement rune activated. “Go!” He charged forward as his sword and shield formed.
A slaver gestured toward them. “What is-?” A beam from Bella’s rifle cut him off, and he fell to the floor.
“We’re under attack!” Another slaver shouted but was quickly cut down.
Nathaniel wove through the grove, attacking the slavers closest to the elves. All eyes were on him which allowed Ralia and Hope to strike the slavers while they were distracted. The slavers rushed to their weapons, but it was useless. Nathaniel tore through the grove, cutting down every slaver in his sight. Occasionally, he would see a flash coming from Bella’s rifle as it struck a slaver trying to flee. Other times, Ralia’s spear would pierce a slaver before he could reach them, and soon the grove fell quiet.
Nathaniel scanned the area. “All slavers have been eliminated, master. None have escaped.”
“Understood.” Nathaniel waved Bella over and deactivated the Enhancement rune. Exhaustion coursed through his body as the power fled.
“Master, you should have left some for me.” Ralia pouted as she pulled her spear from a corpse. “I only killed five of them.”
Nathaniel looked around in shock. “How many did I kill?” He gasped. Many of the bodies bled on the ground from cuts across their backs and chests. One slaver stared up at him, his face frozen in a mask of fear. His gut twisted at the sight, and a chill ran through him.
“You killed well over fifteen.” Ralia replied with an impressed smirk. “I could barely keep up with you.” Nathaniel’s hand clanged against his helmet. “Master, are you alright?”
“This is the first time I’ve ever killed a person.” Nathaniel’s voice was hoarse as he stared at his shaking hand. “God, it was so easy.” He noticed a splotch of blood on his gauntlet. The crimson liquid became all he could see until someone covered his hand.
“Don’t fret on it master.” Ralia whispered into his ear. “Remember, these are the men who hurt Bella.” Nathaniel nodded as he clasped her hand, and Ralia wrapped her tail around his waist. “They aren’t worth your sympathy.”
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“Thanks.” Ralia’s smile eased the pain in his gut.
“Master!” Hope came running up. The elves lingered at one the treehouses, glaring at him. “I kept the elves safe just like you asked.” She smiled brightly at him. “I even told them all about you, and how you were here to save them.”
“That explains the dirty looks.” Nathaniel chuckled, petting Hope’s head. “You did a good job, sweetie, but I need you to go get Elias and the others.” Hope nodded and ran off into the woods. “And bring back those two slavers.” He called after her. Hope waved in response as she passed Bella.
The elves stared in awe as Bella stepped into the grove. They gathered around her with a few reaching out to touch her. Bella gave them a sad smile with tears running down her cheeks. Finally, one of the women cried and pulled her into a hug. Nathaniel and Ralia gathered up the bodies while Bella tended to her people.
“Lady Belladryn, you’re all right.”
“Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick about you.”
“By a fairy’s golden locks, I’m so glad you’re safe!”
“I’m sorry everyone. I should have returned sooner.” Bella gave them a tearful smile. Her smile faded as she looked through the crowd. “Where’s Gywneld?”
“She was taken some time back when a human of great importance visited.” Bella nodded with a deep frown.
A male elf with a few wrinkles lining his eyes leered at Nathaniel. “Lady Belladryn, why have you brought a human here?” His eyes fell to the collar around her neck. “Did he order you to bring him here?”
“No, Eladregn.” Bella said while wiping her tears away. “I ask m-Nathaniel to come here. I asked him to save you all.”
“A human, save us.” Eladregn sneered in anger at the thought. “It was the humans that did all this. Why would one want to save us?”
“He isn’t like these humans. He saved me!” Bella pleaded, grabbing his arm.
Eladregn tugged on her collar. “He enslaved you!”
“Bella!” The elves turned their hateful glares back to Nathaniel. “You should start removing those collars before they discharge.”
“You right.” Bella cleared her throat and looked to her people. “I need everyone to stand next to the slaver that had controlled their collar.” The elves looked at her in confusion. “Please, I can remove your collars with these gloves.” She showed them the gloves on her hands. “But I need to know which slaver you were assigned to.”
The elves looked at her skeptically, but they slowly made their way over to the bodies. Bella knelt next to a body and pressed the thumb of the glove into the open wound. The runes on the glove started to glow, and Bella grasped at the collar of the nearest elf. The runes on the collar pulsed before fading away as the collar clicked open. The dark elf gasped in shock, and tears ran down her cheeks when she gingerly touched her neck. As Bella freed the rest of the elves, Hope returned with the wagons.
Nathaniel walked over to Elias. “Go with Hope and find a warm place to set up. I want to get them treated as soon as possible so we can leave tomorrow." He turned to Sierra, Krietsky, and Barrett. “Krietsky, Barrett, you two start handing out blankets and clothing. Sierra, take Ralia with you to get a soup line started. Leave the heavy lifting to her.”
“What do you think you’re doing human?” Nathaniel turned to see Eladregn glaring at him. Hate filled the dark elf’s eyes as he gazed at the others.
“We’re setting up to distribute aid,” Nathaniel replied, “It’ll be a cold night, so we need to hurry.”
“We don’t need your help.”
“Bella asked for it, so you’re getting it.”
“You will refer to her as Lady Belladryn, you filthy Krum!” Eladregn spat at him. A sudden silence overtook everything.
“What did you just call me?” Nathaniel asked sincerely.
“That’s enough Eladregn!” Bella stormed over and stared him down. “They’ve come to offer us aid, and instead you insult them.”
“We don’t need the aid of-”
“You will not use that word in my presence again.” Bella cut him off. She turned to Hope who was waving at them from a treehouse. “Everyone, go see the fey so that you can get treated. Then come get a blanket and change of clothing.” The dark elves slowly headed towards Hope, but Eladregn glared at Bella. “You need to get checked as well Eladregn. I’m going to pay my last respects to Nyena. Will you join me, Nathaniel?”
“Of course.” Nathaniel replied, stepping next to Bella. Eladregn growled at them before stomping away. “Is he going to be a problem?”
“I hope not.” Bella sighed deeply.
“By the way, what did he call me?”
“Krum is a term many fairy-races use when referring to humans.” Bella turned a deep purple from embarrassment. “It means round ears.” Nathaniel started laughing, and Bella looked at him in horror. “It’s not meant to be funny.”
“I just thought racial slurs would be more imaginative in this world.” Nathaniel chuckled. “Guess I was wrong.” He started following her to the massive stump.
A deep sneer came to Bella’s lips. “He shouldn’t have used it. I’ll see to it that no one uses that word again.”
“They’re angry, Bella.” Nathaniel quickly glanced at the elves. Some wore scars from brutal beatings while others bore it solely in their eyes. One woman stood there with her hands clawing at her stomach, and she stared at the bulge with a mixture of emotions. “We’ll need to be careful moving forward, but I think getting them out of here would be for the best.”
“Agreed.” Bella held back a whimper. “Hopefully, if we can find a dryad seed, we can establish a new grove close to Treante.”
“What if they chose to leave?”
“Then they’re free to go.” Bella looked towards the ground.
“And what will you do?”
Bella fingered her collar. “I-”
“So, you return.” A creaky, broken voice drew their attention.
Chained to the dryad stump was a woman. Her skin textured like bark but had the pale white color of petrified wood. Broken dead branches hung from her head, and they easily snapped when she moved. Her body was riddled with marks where axes cut into her body, leaving only her upper body remains.
Bella covered her mouth to hide the gasp. “Nyena, what did they do to you?”
“What do you think?” Pain wrought the dryad’s voice. “They used their axes to cleave apart my body, and when my body regrew itself, they did it all over again.”
“Why?” Nathaniel asked, looking at the scene in disgust.
“Dryad’s wood is a valuable resource.” Bella choked back a cry. “Dryads can regrow any missing part, but only if their tree is healthy.”
His gaze lingered over the chains. He hadn’t seen slave runes like the ones in the chains, but his [Intuition] revealed their secrets. He sucked in a deep breath through his teeth. The runes inhibited the dryad’s abilities and amplified her suffering. They were clearly meant to break her in both body and spirit.
“A human.” Nyena glowered at him in disgust. “I see you’re a victim just as I am.”
“That’s not true.” Bella replied. “Nathaniel is here to help.”
“Doubtful.” Nyena scoffed in pain. More of her branches fell to the ground. “Humans only care for themselves, and he is no exception.” Her gaze turned to pity as she looked at Bella. “I thought you would have known better.”
“Nyena, please listen.” Bella pleaded, falling to her knees. “Nathaniel is here to help our people. He’s a hero with a class that specializes in crafting, and he’s making an accessory that can keep someone from being enslaved. Our kind no longer-”
“Listen to yourself!” Nyena snapped causing more of her bark to break off. “Humans are a blight on this world. It’s because of them the Abominations destroyed everything, and we had to clean up their mess. Even now, they tear through our forests, destroying our home, and you’re here defending one. How could you betray me like this?”
“I’m not,” Bella whispered, “I truly want to save our people, and I believe that master Nathaniel is our best option.”
“Master?” The dryad growled menacingly. “So, you accept this human as your superior.” A twisted smile came to her lips. “Very well then, I’ll bless your master.” The roots on the stump shifted until a hollow appeared beneath the tree. Inside the hollow was a round, spiky bulb. “Come human.” Nyena’s voice made the word feel like a curse. “Bond yourself to my seed, so that you may save our people.”
“No, he can’t.” Bella cried. “It’ll kill him!”
“What are you wanting me to do?” Nathaniel looked at them in confusion.
“Mana is needed to germinate my seedling. Normally, I’d use my own, but I have none to give.” Nyena replied, her hatred evident in her icy tone. “Since Belladryn has so much faith in you, I’m giving you the opportunity to prove her right. Germinate my seed, and it’ll be bound to you for life.”
“Master you can’t!” Bella clutched his hand. “Only fairies have the necessary mana needed to germinate a dryad’s seed. If you try, it’ll kill you!”
Nathaniel stared at the seedling. So, it needs mana. Would it feed off the power core if I exposed the circuit?
[Yes]
Is there enough to germinate the seed?
[Yes]
Nathaniel smiled and detached the gauntlet on his left arm. The arcane skeleton of the under armor glowed a faint blue with magical energy.
“What do I need to do?”
“Bath the seedling in your blood, and let it feast upon your mana.” Nyena smiled victoriously.
“No, don’t do it!”
“Everything will be fine, Bella. Trust me.” Bella shook her head as Nathaniel pulled away.
Nathaniel knelt next to the seed and pulled it closer. He used the spikes to cut himself, and as soon as his blood touched the surface, roots broke from the shell, grabbing his arm. Nathaniel screamed in pain as the roots forced his hand onto one of the spikes, and the pain shot up his arm.
[Warning: Life force is being drained!]
Nathaniel growled as he held himself against the stump. From his HUD, he could see the power counter quickly drop to zero as more roots wrapped around his left arm. The seedling’s shell shook as more roots broke through, all latching onto his arm and sapping his mana. His left arm went numb from how tight the roots were clinging to him.
“That’s enough!” Nathaniel growled. “You’re hurting me.” The roots flinched at his voice, and they started loosening up. A strange sensation hung at the back of his mind. Something that reminded him of fear, or maybe regret? “You can take what you need.” Nathaniel whispered, petting the bulb. “Just stop hurting me.
The roots tenderly wrapped themselves around his left arm and drove themselves deeper under his armor. The pain wasn’t as intense as it used to be, but Nathaniel still felt his energy being drained. A headache started forming behind his eyes as exhaustion seeped through his body.
[Condition applied: Dryad’s curse. User tried bonding with a dryad seed but lacked the traits to properly perform the ritual. Health has been moderately reduced while mana has been severely reduced. Should the dryad die, then so shall the afflicted.]
[New trait acquired: Nature’s Bounty (Legendary). User is in tune with nature and has a 100% chance of harvesting high quality materials from foraging. User receives 100% experience from gardening and foraging skills.]
Nathaniel groaned as he pulled up his stats.
[(Health: 300/300) (Mana: 15/15)]
“It’s a good thing I don’t cast spells.” Nathaniel moaned in pain as he stood up. The bulb was still latched to his hand. “Although, I wasn’t expecting the new trait.”
“You’re still alive!” Nyena gasped in horror. She looked to her seedling, and tried to reach for it, but the chains kept her bound.
“Yeah, but it hurt like hell.” Nathaniel tore the chains free, and he let Nyena fall to the ground.
“My seedling, give it back.” Nyena reached towards him. “I can’t let you abuse it.”
Nathaniel knelt and let Nyena hold her seed. “I’m not going to abuse it,” he said, “After all, my life is now tied to hers.”
“I can’t trust you human.” Nyena clung tightly to Nathaniel’s left arm.
“But you can trust me.” Bella placed a comforting hand on the dryad’s shoulder. “I’ll see to it that she’s taken care of.”
Nyena looked between Bella and Nathaniel. “Then, my daughter is in your care.” The seedling started wrapping Nyena in roots, and she tenderly smiled at it. “I’m sorry, my sweet Nu’alan, but this is all that I can offer you.”
Nyena held tightly to the bulb until the spikes pierced her skin. Her body fell apart as the roots tore at her flesh and drove themselves into her body. With a final tear, Nyena’s body broke apart in the seedling’s grip, leaving nothing but wooden shards. Bella cried as Nathaniel wrapped her into a hug, and at the back of his mind, he could feel a strange sorrowful sensation.
“Seneschal, begin running scans on the land around Treante. I want to plant this seed as soon as we get back.”
“Yes master.”
“Come Bella, we need to check on the others.” Nathaniel tried to help her up, but he stumbled forward. Bella held him up with a worried look. “Sorry, the curse took a lot out of me.”
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Bella choked, resting her head against his chest.
“Of course I did.” Nathaniel kissed the top of her head. “It was for you.”
“Thank you.” Bella cried into his chest. “Thank you for doing all this for me. I swear, I’ll never leave your side.”
Nathaniel held her close. “Let’s go home, so we can tend to our new charge.” He smiled, looking at the bulb in his left hand.
Bella smiled lovingly at the seedling. “Yes, let’s.”