The Great Tree’s words boomed like thunder.
The trees shook and the birds scattered in a panicked frenzy.
After this order, a rumbling swept across the clearing which heralded the nightmare that was to come.
The corrupted spirits arrived first.
A horde of small humanoid creatures made of grayish liquid and covered with withered leaves emerged from the undergrowth, arriving in even greater numbers that the raid on the town.
Their hollow eyes now gleamed with unnatural light and raised their razor-sharp claws, ready for battle.
Unfortunately for the heroes, they were just the first wave.
The oldest trees began to shake with a life of their own.
Their roots writhed and tore free from the earth like spidery legs, ripping up the ground as they awoke.
One by one, the living trees began to march toward the clearing.
They were the children of the Great Whisperer, there to answer his call and deliver his vengenace on the intruders.
“You wanted a fight, Percedal?” Ruel growled as he braced himself.
“Well, here you go.
I hope you’re happy with this.”
The knight grinned as he unsheathed Rubilax, whose blade immediately blazed with fire.
The only thing the knight could think about now was which monster to kill first.
Unlike Percedal, Yugo’s focus wasn’t on the coming battle, but rather to Amalia and Evangelyne, who were still on the ground after the fall.
Without thinking, he ran to them and offered his hand.
“What happened, Amalia?” he asked as he helped her on her feet.
“I thought everything was under control.”
The Sadida lowered her gaze.
“The Great Tree is consumed by hate and sorrow,” she answered grimly.
“We can’t reason with it…
It’s been hurt so badly that it sees nothing but enemies now.”
“But…
is there anything we can do?” Yugo insisted.
“It’s not evil, so there has to be a way to save it and make things right.”
Amalia tried to respond, but her mind went blank.
The weight of everyone’s expectations, the monsters around them, a way to save the forest.
It all crushed her, making her legs shake and vision fade.
She knew they were all waiting for an answer.
An answer she didn’t have.
Why do I always have to figure things out for everyone?
Why, no matter where I go, do I end up being the one with the biggest burden?
She felt as if dark roots were entangling her, drowning her in deep darkness.
Her breathing turned heavy as the world around her crumbled into shadow.
And then, she opened her eyes.
She was no longer in the forest.
She was now in a cave bathed in greenish light.
In the center stood a small doll of wood and cloth whose eyes glowed in that same light which felt strangely conforting.
Her doll.
With trembling hands, Amalia approached it and, when she touched it, a calm and too-familiar voice whispered in her mind.
“Do not despair, Amalia.
You’re much stronger than you think.
Together, we can save the forest.”
“Really…?” she murmured.
“I’d like to believe that, but…
I’m not strong enough.
I’m not ready.
You know that.”
She began to feel the weight of her own guilt.
“I ran away before finishing my training…
I thought I could save them all, but I couldn’t.
I’ve failed…
Because of me.”
Tears streamed from her eyes.
She was letting it all go.
All her fear, all her worries, all her burdens.
As she cried, the doll rose and hugged her leg, making her, for once in a long time, feel safe and loved.
And then, an enormous surge of life energy flowed through her body, filling her with newfound strength.
Amalia wiped the tears from her eyes as doubt abandoned her heart.
Now, she knew what must be done to save everyone.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
And, when she opened them, she could see the worried faces of her friends.
Immediately, Evangelyne pulled her and gave her a strong hug.
“What happened to you, Amalia?
Please tell me you’re okay.
I can’t lose you here.”
Amalia smiled, her voice full of a strange serenity.
“Don’t worry, Eva.
I was just overwhelmed.” Her tone then shifted to pure conviction.
“But now I understand.
I know what I have to do.
I know how to save the forest.”
Her words filled the group with energy.
She opened her bag, pulled out her doll and placed it on the ground with care.
Then, she traced lines in the earth and, to the surprise of her companions, drew a complex a magic circle around it which began to radiate with magical energy.
Before anyone could ask, a rumble echoed through the clearing.
The corrupted spirits were beginning to close in, cutting off every escape route.
“Mind telling us what you’re doing, young lady?” Ruel grunted.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re surrounded by a mob of very angry monsters.”
Amalia kept her eyes fixed on her work.
“I need to finish this ritual,” she replied with a hint of annoyance.
“I’ve received visions which showed me how to heal this forest.
To do that, I have to channel a massive amount of life energy through my doll in order to fully cleanse all the corruption.
But I need time.
And for that, you need to protect me.
Is everything clear?”
Ruel was surprised at her determination.
This was not the scared girl he knew, but all this talk just made him more confused.
“Look, all I’ve heard is a bunch of mystical mumbo-jumbo” He sighed.
“Could you just explain it in layman’s terms, please.
I’m the one giving orders here, after all.”
“This ritual is our only way to save the forest!” Amalia exclaimed.
“If we don’t pull it off, we all die.
So, for once in your life, please listen to me!”
“Your wish is my command, Your Highness,” Percedal cut in, ending the argument on the spot.
His eyes were burning with ferocity.
“Sir Percedal of Sadlygrove won’t let a single one of them touch you.
You’re about to see what I can really do when I stop holding back!
To battle, Rubilax!”
After this battlecry, Amalia watched the knight crash into a cluster of spirits and, in one sweeping blow, slice them all to pieces.
I can’t believe I found a guy this strong in a random village, she thought, watching him mow through wave after wave.
He’s a real hero.
“Don’t just stand there!” Ruel ordered.
Normally, I wouldn’t put my faith in this magic nonsense, but I’ll take my chances this time.
Let’s go!
She needs us!”
Evangelyne and Yugo nodded as they took their positions.
Ruel gripped his shovel and stayed close to Amalia, watching as she began the ritual.
After she pronounced some magic words, both her and her doll’s eyes began to glow with green light as a vast amount of life energy began to flow through their bodies.
Yugo watched in amazement.
While didn’t fully understand what was happening, there was one thing he knew for certain: Amalia would never lie if nature was at stake.
Percedal, on the other hand, didn’t even listen to strategy entirely and kept attacking all the monsters he could find.
One after another, dark spirits fell beneath his blade and were turned to grey mush.
Unfortunately, his rampage didn’t go unnoticed.
A cursed tree began to crawl towards him, its roots moving like spider’s legs as its branches extended into spikes.
When he saw the tree, Percedal just grinned at the sight of a bigger challenge.
“Hey, Rubi, look who’s coming for us.
I wonder if this guy is a real challenge or all bark and no bite?”
“I should kill you for that joke but, you know what?” Rubilax replied with murderous glee.
“Today I’m in a good mood and really want to burn this damned forest to ground.
Give it everything you’ve got, Dally!”
Percedal charged with his sword held high.
As the creature violently lashed at him with its sharp branches, the knight easily blocked all its attacks and advanced in search of an opening.
Then, when he saw it, he built momentum and tightened his grip on Rubilax’s hilt.
The Shushu’s eye blazed with a red light and the sword’s flamed grew more intense.
With a battlecry, Percedal leaped into the air and delivered a devastating blow to the creature.
His strike was so strong it cut the trunk in half, turning that monstrous tree into harmless timber.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today you’ve just witnessed the true power of a Shushu guardian!” he proclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
“What did you think?
Wasn’t this a spectacular feat?”
He searched for Evangelyne and winked, convinced his must have impressed her with such a victory.
The Cra let out a long sigh and, without a word, fired three arrows in rapid succession, quickly eliminating a pack of dark spirits who weree about to pounce on Percedal.
“Pay attention, you idiot!” Eva snapped.
“There’re still monsters everywhere and if it wasn’t for me, they would have gotten you while you were showing off.”
“Easy now, fair lady,” Percedal replied.
“Those beasts could’ve never even touched me.
Nevertheless, seeing how much you care about me fills me with enough energy to slay a thousand more monsters.”
Eva growled with frustration.
That man doesn’t even realize how insufferable he is.
Before she could fire back, Percedal charged into another group of monsters, and wiped them out instantly.
But he really is as strong as he claims.
He just needs someone watching his back so he doesn’t get himself killed doing something stupid.
She scanned the battlefield and, with perfect shots, picked off multiple dark spirits who were trying to attack through his blind spots.
From the rear, Yugo was so awe-struck at their teamwork that he let out excited cheers.
Unfortunately for the group, this moment of distraction gave the enemy a perfect opening.
A group of small spirits slipped through their ranks and headed straight for Amalia, their claws unsheathed and ready to attack.
Ruel, however, didn’t miss a thing and gave Yugo a swift elbow nudge.
“Hey, kid!
Stop daydreaming and lock in!
There’s a pack of critters headed our way.
Could you do something with those portals of yours?”
A mischievous grin spread across Yugo’s face.
“I’ve got a better idea.
Get ready, Ruel.
It’s about to rain some monsters.”