As morning broke on my mountain Home Jax was making sausages in a skillet that had an interestingly designed wrapping system with his paw.
"I said I was sorry."
Jax said trough crocodile tears.
"And I said you shouldn't have bets on whether I stay or leave."
I said annoyed as I stood at my workbench having just finished a batch of 5 energy potions after spending the early morning collecting borage and alleha from the home garden. I handed one to Selene who Eagerly chugged it down.
I turned to my next project of making 4 flasks of firestarter. I used 50 of my MP to make fill Liquid crystal vials as I set 4 aside to make the flasks of firestarter. I grabbed ingredients from my bag and while I had a surplus of Fetref, I made a mental note to get more Hebbenus Bark as I only had 7 stalks left. I pulled out my grandfathers mortar and pestle as I tossed the fetref into the stone bowl, the herb resembled a green moss with white dots that slowly became a greyish green paste as I continued to work it. The runes on the pestle hummed slightly as I felt my remaining 9 MP being trickled into the mixture.
After a bit I took a sniff of the paste like substance and recoiled slightly from the acidity, marking it was processed enough. I grabbed the sticks of bark and using a small knife whittled off small slivers that landed and seemed to partially dissolve into the paste. Once I finished adding them, I turned to the small cauldron where I placed the paste and carefully poured in the vials of liquid crystal, constantly stirring and waiting until it was fully absorbed before pouring the next one.
As I finished it turned from a greenish gray and started to have small flakes of black and orange start to form, I lifted the cauldron higher to be less exposed to the heat of the fireplace and turned to where Kaelon has just taken a bite of sausage.
"When you're done with breakfast come here, this needs to be constantly stirred for an hour, or it may explode."
Kaelen paused, a second bite of sausage halfway to his mouth when he asked
"What, why me, what about Selene, they already finished breakfast."
Selen had indeed finished her breakfast and was drinking the second energy potion I had given to her as I turned back to Kaelen."
"Because she didn't bet against me flaking as you called it."
"I said I was sorry."
Kaelen moped as he finished his sausage and came over to take the spoon from me and started stirring. As I sat down and took a sausage for breakfast Liora leaned in and asked in a whisper.
"Will it actually explode if he stops?"
"No, but I figured with his endurance he needs the motivation."
I tore into my sausage as we all ate and talked, as the potion finished, I took over for Kaelen who acted as if he had been reduced to noodles as I took the cauldron and poured the potion into 4 bottles before tying a rope around the top of each bottle to make it so I can throw it easier. Everyone gathered up in my living room area as I checked my system and saw my MP bar slowly rising from taking time to rest. I sat down around the others as Liora pulled out a piece of paper and began to draw a diagram for our newest member.
"From what Jax said on his patrol, the ash spirits will be too close to our edge for the next 30 minutes or so, but after that we should have a straight shot in to take a crack at the Blood Trent."
"So, what's the plan then?"
Kaelen said as he rolled his shoulder in a way I can only assume was exaggerating his injury. Jax seemed to think for a minute before turning to me.
"How long do those Firestarter things last?"
"Burns for around a minute or so."
"In that case the plan as I see it is we try to avoid going into the barrier, since its physically trapped it can't do as much to us since the barrier holds it back, from there we have Aiden set it on fire, Liora stokes the flames and attacks from a distance, Selene and I will block any attacks that get past the barrier, and Kaelen will heal injuries and attack when he gets a chance."
We all blinked at him a moment as I was a bit surprised at who I thought was our kind of airheaded party leader who just came up with a pretty good plan. He looked up from the map at the rest of us as he asked
"What, I was in charge of hunting strategy in my family."
"Ahhh"
the rest of us said as we all now understood, he was still an airhead, just a tactical airhead.
As we all got up and gathered our gear I handed two of the remaining 3 energy potions to Jax and the last one to Selene. We all took a moment outside the house, mainly me as I thought about what we were walking into, if that barrier did its job then we could just throw stuff till the Blood Trent died in theory, but that was unrealistic.
"I-Is there a reason we don't try to get the ash spirits to help us?"
Selene asked as we got closer.
"Well considering how they have tried to fight us at every opportunity so far, we would be risking fighting on two fronts, and we are already punching up as is with this Blood Trent."
I replied shrugging. Selene nodded as we made our way to the edge of the burn zone and inside. There was an ominous feeling in the air, and while the feeling faded a bit, as I turned to the others, I could see that there was a nervous energy from all of us. This was our first big quest, our plate quest, we could get injured or worse, or we could get our plate and be on our way to becoming adventurers.
By the time we could see the shrine tensions were high, but there was a bit of excitement in the air. I checked for almost the 8th time to make sure Misty was safe in the pendent. Her normal attitude and energy seemed drained, I ended up rereading the book I had used to summon her, and as it turns out, nature spirits grow weaker and less active when nature is actively dying in an area, providing yet another reason to push forward. As we arrived at the shrine it still remained untouched, its walls still old but standing, its stairs crumbling but there, and its large, towering tree now sprouted in pink leaves.
We stared for a moment before some of the leaves started to change their color to be a deeper red hue as the tree seemed to crack and shift like someone who had been sitting for a long time stretching. The bark darkened as patches flaked off to reveal pulsing red glowing wood underneath. Some of the trees branches wrapped together forming arms with 4 fingers that ended in jagged ends and a smiling face with a set of glowing mouth and eyes smiled back at us, the bark forming sharp triangular teeth. It towered over us, seeming to grow bigger as it took an almost humanoid form, standing at least 20ft tall
"It seems like the adventurers I tried to warn to stay away didn't heed my warning. And here I thought you would respect the courtesy provided."
Said the grating, deep voice of the Blood Trent.
"Stick to the plan!"
Jax yelled as everyone got into position, I stayed in the back, Jax and Selene got to the front, Liora to my left and Kaelen to my right.
"What ever happened to the adventurers who were so eager for conversation? You all are just plain rude!"
The Blood Trent said in an almost mocking way. It reached into its leaves and plucked a seed that it tossed. To the right of Kaelen, it passed through the barrier and sprouted into a small bush covered in blood red leaves that blinked open eyes hidden in the leaves and hissed at Kaelen who yelped in surprise.
My system appeared and gave a sudden announcement which was a bit surprising
Enemy Blood Trent is using the skill Blood Seed Creation(E) to summon a Blood Bush.
The bush sprouted a thorny vine that lashed at Kaelen and struck against his arm as he cried out in pain, as the vine pulled back, I could see several bleeding holes left by the attack.
Enemy Blood Bush has used the skill Lashing Vine(E)
Ally Kaelen has taken 4 Damage
Everyone was turned to the bush, but I could see out of the corner of my eye that the Blood Trent was moving, it was slow, but it was moving, and it was headed for the magic circle. Jax spun in place and yelled
"I'll help Kaelen, keep big guy busy!"
He leapt over Kaelen striking out with a paw that slammed trough the leaves and hit the ground as he called out
"The bush is smaller than its leaves show!"
Liora looked between the large tree and where Jax was fighting and held out her staff, the wind seemed to swirl around the end of it as she swung her staff, the ball flying off and curving to strike the bush at an angle as my system gave another announcement.
Party Member Liora has used the skill Wind blast(E)
7 Wind Damage done
Wind blasts movement effect has been resisted by enemy Blood Bush
The bush's leaves were ripped off in a patch and it seemed to be leaned back, but its roots gripped the ground holding it from being knocked back by the air.
"It's not moving easy!"
Liora called. I grabbed one of the ropes of the firestarter flasks and swung it around my head, launching it at the Blood Trent center mass, it lazily swung one of its arms to swat away the vial but as it touched the vial exploded and ignited in a burst of heat as the Blood Trent seemed to hiss, its wood starting to catch as it was covered in the flammable liquid.
You have used item Firestarter Flask(E) on Blood Trent
Target is vulnerable to fire
8 damage done
"Its burning!"
I called out as I ran over to where Kaelen was, I slammed shoulder first into the blood bush, and while normally I Probably would have bounced off, Liora's wind blast had tipped it off balance.
"Hear me mother of love and family, may those who wish to do the innocent harm be burned by your protective flame!"
Kaelen yelled out holding his staff out. A gold and white flame forming at the top of it where he held it pointed up. He went to swing his staff to point at the bush but as he moved his right arm he winced, his hand flexing open and dropping his staff, the flame flickering out.
Party member Kaelen has used the skill Condemn the Wicked(E)
The skill has failed
Selene seemed to see something as she went charging forward and into the barrier, standing between the Trent and the remainder of the shrine building. Realization dawned on me as I called out.
"It's trying to distract us so it can break the magic circle! Jax, go help Selene!"
Jax turned and quickly nodded, turning to run in after Selene.
"It's rude to block the way for your ELDERS!"
The Blood Trent Roared as it swung its massive arm at Selene. She raised her mutated arm to catch the blow. She skidded sideways a bit, but her arm held strong. As it retracted its arm back the Blood Trent seemed to wince slightly as the flames danced on its body. Jax charged and jumped up landing a kick with his hind leg as a strange white wave seemed to pass over the Blood Trent's body before fading halfway across.
Party Leader Jax has used skill Ki Disruption(E)
11 Damage done
Ki Disruption has been resisted by enemy Blood trent
"You think such poultry techniques will work on me little mutt?!"
The Blood Trent roared in a surprisingly offended tone. The Blood Bush turned from where it had been shoved, ready to attack me next before it stopped and seemed to shake itself, bunches of its leaves seemed to shake off and go flying towards the Blood Trent where they seemed to cling to the tree.
Enemy Blood Bush has used the skill Sanguine Bond(E)
Blood Trent has been healed for 6 HP
"It can heal itself, that so not helpful!"
Liora yelled as she fired another blast of air from her staff. It struck the Blood Bush in the side and sent it flying away from Kaelen and I
Party member Liora has used the skill Wind Blast(E)
Wind Blast Strikes a vital point CRITICAL HIT
14 Damage done
Blood Bush is pushed by Wind Blast
"Focus on the little guy first so he can't heal the big guy!"
Jax yelled as he ducked underneath a swinging vine. I turned to Kaelen and grabbed a healing potion from my bag. I popped the top off and poured the red liquid partially on the wound and poured the rest down Kaelen's throat.
You have used item Healing Potion(E) on Party member Kaelen
Party member Kaelen is healed 15 HP
Kaelen hissed as the healing energy of the potion knitted his arm back together painfully, but after a moment he opened and closed his hand and gave me a nod of thanks as he picked up his staff
Selene threw her mutated arm back, the fingers sharpening as the plates shifted and seemed to form sharp claws as she slashed at the Blood Trent, a root shot out and caught her arm and wrenched it down before she could land her attack. Jax jumped in and snapped it with a bite that let both Selene and him jump back.
Party member Selene has used the skill Claws of the Beast(E)
Selene's condition did not act up
"Goddess of love, guide my friends to strike true against those who would serve to oppose you."
Kaelen called out as he thrust his staff towards Jax. A golden glow enveloped Jax that seemed especially concentrated in his paws
Party member Kaelen has used the skill Guiding Faith(E)
Party member Jax has received the buff guided strike
Party member Jax's accuracy has been increased
The Blood Trent turned to the now Glowing Jas and thrust its hand out. The hand seemed to launch a wave of thorns outward
Enemy Blood Trent has used the skill Thorn Spray(E)
Party leader Jax has failed to dodge
Party member Selene has failed to dodge
Party leader Jax has taken 17 damage
Party member Selene has taken 17 damage
Party leader Jax has used the skill Lifeforce Control(E)
Party leader Jax has spend 17 Ki to take 0 damage
I looked up from the notification at Jax and Selene, both had been caught off guard by the blast and while Jax had used his aura to take the damage instead Selene was clearly injured, as she seemed to stagger slightly, her body covered in small black needles still in the wounds. I looked up at the Blood Trent, it was still burning, patches of bark were charred black, but it wouldn't be fast enough at this rate.
"Aiden, throw a healing potion to Selene!"
Jax yelled as he lunged at the Trent. The Blood Trent raised an arm to block, but Jax used it almost like a springboard and landed a heavy kick to the Trent's temple, at least where the temple would be. It stumbled back, the bark where Jax kicked cracking and slightly crumbling. I reached into my bag grabbing for a healing potion when I heard Liora yell.
"Aiden look out!"
I turned just in time to duck underneath the lashing spiked vine of the very much injured but still fighting Blood Bush. Liora fired another blast of air at it as she yelled
"Just drop dead you stupid weed!"
Party member Liora has used the skill Wind Blast(E)
9 damage done
Blood Bush has been defeated
500 XP has been awarded for each party member
"Nice work, now lets deal with the Tree!"
Kaelen said as we all turned to the final obstacle. I grabbed a healing potion and threw it to Selene. She reached to catch it in flight, but it bounced off one of the spiked in her arm causing her to wince and pull her arm back, the potion falling to the floor, unbroken.
"Shoot, sorry!"
I yelled as I started to run forward to see if I could help, but Kaelen stopped me with an arm.
"Remember, we can't take a hit from that thing, that's why we're back here."
Selene slid under a swinging arm and grabbed the potion, downing its contents with most missing as some of the potion splashed on the wound as she grit her teeth for a moment for a look of pain flashed on her face as the thorns were forced out by regrowing flesh.
Party member Selene has used Healing potion(E)
Party member Selene has healed for 15 HP
Kaelen Thrust his staff forward and said
"Hear me mother of love and family, may those who wish to do the innocent harm be burned by your protective flame!"
He flicked the flame from his staff as Liora asked
"Do you have to say that every time?!"
"Yes, it's really hard to get used too!"
Kaelen admitted as his flame struck the tree and seemed to burn into its arm as it cried out.
Party member Kaelen has used the skill Condemn the wicked(E)
Blood Trent takes 9 damage
Condemn the wicked's secondary effect activates
Blood Trent takes 7 damage
The golden flames, the flames of the firestarter flask, and the relentless poking attacks of Jax and Selene are starting to show considerable damage as the Trent seemed to step back, its left arm crackling like a firepit as it seemed to twitch, the weight of the forearm being too much for the charred joint as the arm fell off at the elbow. It growled at Jax and yelled
"I have worked too hard to have it all end here you miserable ingrates!"
The Blood Trent seemed to swell for a moment as more chunks of bark fell off to reveal red pulsing wood underneath. It swung out with a speed faster than before, it wrapped around Jax's leg and slammed him over itself onto the ground back and forth. Jax grimaced as he struck the ground, his Ki prevented the damage, but the look on Jax's face said that the wind was very much knocked out of him as he gasped and coufghed, trying to regain breath only to be slammed again and again.
Blood Trent has grabbed Party leader Jax
Party leader Jax has taken 11 damage
Party leader Jax has used the skill Lifeforce Control(E)
Party leader Jax has spend 11 Ki to take 0 damage
Party leader Jax has taken 12 damage
Party leader Jax has used the skill Lifeforce Control(E)
Party leader Jax has spend 12 Ki to take 0 damage
WARNING: Party leader Jax is low on Ki, 6 remain
Liora looked up from her screen as she yelled
"Hold on Jax!"
Jax squirmed in the Trent's grasp as he weakly bit into the vine holding him. The Blood Trent spun the vine, whipping it around so Jax went rocketing towards the shrine building. Selene tried to jump in the way to catch him, but the momentum was too much as they both went rocketing into the old shrine building as both he and Selene were covered by the collapsing roof. Kaelen, Liora, and I turned to each other as the Trent slowly turned, the shield that had once held it crackling and fizzling out as the magic circle that once held it layed shattered and disfunctional in the wreckage of the building.