The ground in the heart of the Forest Labyrinth cracked under the pressure of ancient forces surging uncontrollably. The air trembled, and the atmosphere transformed into an electromagnetic field filled with the sounds of dimensional cracks and horrifying psionic friction. Arboreus Nihil loomed like a god of destruction, awakened from the depths of time and despair. Its form now transcended any biological shape, radiating a shimmering green-white aura, as if the very sky turned away in the wake of its earth-shaking presence.
Its trunk pulsed with unimaginable strength; its branches flailed wildly through the air like hands groping in darkness, while the crown of thorns blazed with a dazzling intensity, resembling a torch of fate illuminating the void. After enduring the combined magical assault of Armonatrix Ultima: Ascension of Light and Wind, Arboreus should have fallen. However, instead of collapsing, it grew larger, standing firm like an unyielding tower of despair.
Fitran and Rinoa fell to the ground, their bodies marked by wounds and their clothes tattered; yet, their hands remained clasped tightly—a grip of two souls that would not be broken, showcasing remarkable resilience even in the face of severe injuries.
And at that moment, Arboreus began to speak, but not with a voice that could be heard. His words penetrated their minds, scratching the depths of their consciousness and implanting a profound sense of unease:
"I am not just a tree. I am not an illusion. I am your will to surrender, born from your broken breaths and from a love that doubts itself."
And then… he attacked.
"Chrono-Leech: Bloom of Forgotten Futures"
The roots around them suddenly burst forth from the ground, coiling like venomous serpents, gripping tightly and blossoming into a colossal pale blue flower. Its large petals emitted a dazzling glow, slowly siphoning time from their surroundings.
Fitran screamed silently, his eyes widening as he watched the ground around him decay, only to be reborn in tandem. Rinoa felt her body being pulled into the future—a time where Fitran was gone, while she herself walked through an empty and desolate world.
"Rin, focus!" Fitran shouted, straining to slice through the flow of time with his Excalibur, cleaving the petals of the Chrono-Leech that seemed to ensnare them in darkness.
"Thornstorm: Dissonant Skies"
Suddenly, the sky above them split apart, and from the gaps in the swirling black clouds, a torrential rain of thorns began to fall. These thorns were not merely physical objects—each shard carried bitter emotions that triggered feelings of despair, trauma, and unforgettable inner wounds.
Rinoa struggled to create a protective whirlwind around her, but every thorn that grazed the wind barrier made her scream—the sound of her mother's cries, the roar of Iris, and other voices that resurfaced painful memories from the past.
"This isn't mine!" Rinoa shouted, stamping her foot with fiery determination, manifesting the magnificent Aether Spiral. The fierce wind surged skyward, shattering the darkness of the threatening Thornstorm.
The ground beneath their feet cracked open like the jaws of a giant, releasing a sound that rippled softly like echoes in the air. Amidst the roar of the storm, the voice of young Fitran cried out in the thick darkness, accompanied by the small voice of Rinoa praying beneath the relentless rain—all returning, replaying the deep-seated fears and doubts within their souls.
The wave of sound struck their bodies like an invisible hammer, forcing both to kneel in helplessness. The world they knew seemed to shake under the weight of their memories, undermining the foundation of courage they had built.
With steely determination, Fitran slammed his sword into the ground, carving strength into every movement. "If you think our past weakens us—you are sorely mistaken!" his voice resounded with fervor, challenging the shadows in their minds.
Taking a deep breath, Fitran summoned the light magic Radiant Tether: Vow of Now, its soft glow illuminating the air, binding his soul and Rinoa's heart in a thread of shining trust. In an instant, the weight of the echoing voices that burdened their thoughts felt severed, bringing them peace amid the storm.
"Dirge Thornfield: Ritual of the Last Roots"
From the back of Arboreus, the branches of the tree stretched upwards, forming a field of thorns that quivered with a sacred yet threatening presence. Each thorn tore through the darkness, transforming into shadowy creatures resembling Fitran and Rinoa—specters of their failures, versions that surrendered to fear, choosing a dark path, and who had lost everything.
The army of shadows emitted a chilling laughter, grinning with faces that were familiar yet depicted despair. "You will become me," they whispered in voices echoing Fitran's own, a tone that stirred waves of dread within him.
"No... I have embraced the darkness within me and chosen the light," Fitran declared, his voice trembling with courage, creating an aura that radiated hope amid the enveloping darkness.
With unwavering determination, Rinoa raised her hand, calling forth five winds of magic simultaneously: Sylph Vortex, Whisper Gale, Mirror Wind, Echo Spiral, and Final Aeolus. The explosion of magic shattered the dark shadows into shimmering dust, as if dispelling the darkness from their world.
Finally, Arboreus unleashed his ultimate attack, saturating the atmosphere with an ominous aura. The thorned crown upon his head gracefully detached, floating in the sky before blooming into a shape resembling a giant glowing orchid. The thorns shimmered, reflecting light, while a crystalline green fluid dripped from within—the tears of thousands of surrendered souls. Each drop contained a dark incantation that threatened to engulf them.
One drop struck Rinoa, instantly staggering her; her vision plunged into a dark world where she killed Fitran. A realm where she had become a heartless monster, and all hope shattered in the shadows.
Fitran was not spared from this trap; another droplet hit him, bringing a horrific vision of Rinoa dying in his arms, over and over again, until he was ensnared in a blind rage and annihilated the entire world.
With unwavering spirit, Rinoa shouted, "We will not become them!" Her voice echoed through the darkness, igniting a spark of hope.
Summoning the strength that remained, they clasped hands, channeling the power from their united hearts.
Rinoa invoked Fulguris Ventorum, a storm spell that enveloped them like a solid shield, standing firm against any approaching threat.
Fitran followed with Sol Invictus, the last light magic shining bright like the sun in the middle of the night, radiating warmth that pierced the darkness. The two energies collided with a giant thorny flower hanging in the sky, triggering a powerful explosion.
The ground cracked, the sky split open, and light and shadow danced in a dramatic swirl of silence, creating a moment of stillness before the storm. Fitran and Rinoa lay side by side, their bodies filled with wounds, yet their hands remained clasped together, symbolizing an unbroken hope. Amidst the searing pain, they questioned whether their efforts were enough to defeat Arboreus. But one thing was certain: they were still alive. And as long as they breathed, the resistance was not over.
From behind the glowing clouds, Arboreus's roar echoed thunderously, a sound filled with exhaustion yet still terrifying. Scarred but not broken, the creature prepared to continue the daunting battle.