Ever since Will entered the planet his body has been behaving strangely, accompanied by a mysterious sensation stirring within him.
They had successfully entered the city during the chaos and were currently heading towards the sphere location.
Dren, the boy with vibrant purple hair, clutched a device that aided him in tracking down the elusive sphere.
"Eureka!" Dren exclaimed, as he merged with his own shadow, which expanded and consumed the rest . The shadow stealthily navigated through a labyrinth of buildings until it halted at a peculiar dome-shaped barrier.
Dwaine repeated the same action with the negation crystals, and they passed through easily.
"Upon stepping inside the dome, their path was obstructed by towering root giants. These colossal beings shared resemblances with the purple-skinned creatures, except for their majestic emerald-toned skin and immense stature. Notably, each giant possessed a radiant, pulsating petal in various shapes and hues adorning their chests."
I'll hold them while you get the crystals, "Dwaine said, brandishing his great sword.
Dren had once again sunk into his shadow, taking Will along. Passing through various doors, they finally arrived in a small room.
Entangled within a cluster of gnarled roots, the coveted healing sphere was suspended. The crystalline artifact glistened at the far end of the room, its ethereal glow beckoning. Mere meters away stood a dungeon, its formidable presence marked by imposing iron bars that confined an unknown entity.
" This is so easy, " Dren said in excitement as he walked towards the orb.
" Be careful," Will cautioned, his words laced with concern, as he trailed cautiously following his footsteps. The air was thick with suspicion, and doubts clouded his mind. 'How could such a precious artifact be left unguarded?' He felt a nagging feeling of a greater force manipulating this elaborate scheme.
"The peculiar yet unmistakable energy he felt was overbearing. Frowning, he mulled over the enigma of the crystal's origin and purpose. Legends spoke of its ability to breathe life into a dying world, explaining the stark contrast between the vibrant scenery within the barrier and the desolation beyond
The quiet room was suddenly filled with a creaking sound. The unsuspecting noise echoed through the empty space, shattering the tranquility that once enveloped the room. Dren froze, his heart racing in his chest as he realised the gravity of his mistake. He had unwittingly triggered a concealed trap.
In a sudden twist, root-like tentacles emerged from the ground and violently struck Dren's body. Wrapping tightly around him, they dragged him below the surface. Overwhelmed, Dren let out a desperate cry and fought against his restraints. As he struggled, he became aware of an ominous force draining his energy.
Drawing out his sword, Will quickly cut off the roots attached to him.
"I told you to be careful," he scolded , pulling him back. A slight tremor shook the room before hundreds of roots broke from the floor. Intwining together, they formed root like giants just like the ones they encountered outside. A total of five had been created with bladed arms.
The crystal's limited energy reserves were primarily dedicated to healing the planet, resulting in the formation of feeble manifestations of these creatures.
"Let's make a bet," Dren proposed, flashing a toothy grin while still visibly shaken from the recent attack he had just recovered from.
"The one with the highest kill....."
Infusing his sword in flames , Will shot towards the creatures. He appeared before one and slashed at its emerald body. The monster responded by swinging his arms towards him.
He was sent flying back with a shocked face. Balancing himself amidst air, he landed on his feet, which was covered in spiralling wind.
He charged towards the creature with his sword firmly held. The sword started lighting up to the tip. Swinging the sword towards the coming hand, a large explosion occurred, causing dust to rise.
Will possessed a rare combination of fire and wind abilities, which earned him a coveted place in the academy. However, his ability core suffered from a defect. Most individuals with abilities had a core beneath their chest that absorbed and stored world energy. Those with multiple abilities had multiple cores corresponding to their skills.
In Will's case, his cores had partially merged, disrupting the energy flow and limiting his absorption of world energy. Astonishingly, he managed to survive despite this condition, catching the attention of the higher-ups who recognized the complexity of binding different abilities. Mishandling such fusion could lead to the destruction of ability cores or even a catastrophic body explosion.
Due to his defect, Will experienced intense pain when drawing energy from his cores and was unable to progress beyond the initial level. Consequently, he relied on beast armor crafted from slain beasts as his abilities remained significantly limited.
Dren, on the other side, was causing havoc with his summoned shadow clones.
Considering their power, the creatures would be classified at the intermediate stage in the beast ranking system on earth. Will and his group were equipped with powerful high-tier beast weapons, facilitating their success in hunting down these creatures easily. Dren also belonged to a prominent family as the eldest son. His lean physique granted him exceptional agility and nimbleness, allowing him to effortlessly evade the creature attacks and seize opportunities for counterattacks.
Will jumped back after his attack and raised his sword slightly, blocking the incoming blade. He then shot forward and swung his sword, which lit up once again. The attack seemed to be stronger than the first, as it had destroyed the beast.
" One down, " he mumbled triumphantly, readying himself for the next creature. Swiftly dispatching the next creature, he discovered that Dren was keeping the last two creatures occupied.
Seizing the opportunity, he made a split-second decision to retrieve the sphere. Activating his boots, they ignited with a vibrant blue light as he sprinted towards the crystalline object. Slashing through the encroaching roots, he skillfully evaded their grasps, leaping and rolling to avoid their entanglement. However, an unforeseen danger lurked beneath as a hidden root ensnared his leg, forcefully slamming him down. Helplessly, he found himself overwhelmed by a multitude of roots closing in on him.
Since his arrival on the planet, Will had donned a formidable suit of armor bestowed upon him by his mother. Crafted from the essence of a legendary-level fire beast, which was on the verge of ascending to the next rank. A complete full-body set, it possessed a remarkable skill unique to its kind. Harnessing the power of fire, it granted its wearer incredible skills.
As he swiftly triggered one of his armour skills, a surge of indescribable power flooded through his entire being. He could feel the immense power coursing through his veins. The flames intensified, engulfing the surrounding area in a fiery inferno. The encroaching roots, now met with a relentless onslaught of scorching heat, withered away into mere ashes
Will prepared himself for the next obstacle. A mass of roots and vines emerged from the ground, blocking his path. Undeterred, he summoned all his strength and leaped into the air, twirling his body with precision. Flames erupted from his fingertips, spinning around him in a mesmerizing dance. He burst through the other side and propelled himself forward his speed now unmatched.
The roots, sensing his power, began to converge, forming a colossal tentacle that shot towards him with tremendous speed. But Will was ready. With a swift motion, he extended his hand and snatched the crystal, a surge of energy coursing through his body.
As he landed gracefully on the other side, a thunderous crash echoed behind him. He turned to witness the massive root crashing to the ground, sending clouds of dust billowing into the air. The ground quaked beneath his feet, a testament to the destructive power.
As he gazed at the crystal cradled in his palm, its ethereal glow bathed his face in a comforting warmth. A surge of exhilaration coursed through his veins. Overwhelmed by his own emotions, he collapsed onto his knees, attempting to regain control of his breath.
The room was suddenly engulfed in a cacophony of mechanical whirring, as the colossal bars began to ascend from the cold, hard ground. Will, his heart pounding in his chest, took a cautious step back, his eyes fixed on the source of the ominous sound. A deep growl reverberated through the air, resonating with a primal intensity, followed by a huff that expelled a torrent of steam from the confines of the cage.
The monstrous creature emerged from its confining cage, unleashing a deafening roar that reverberated throughout the very foundation of the building. Scales adorned its elongated neck, extending all the way down to its formidable tail, exuding an aura of primal power. Its head, bristling with an intimidating array of spikes, mirrored the savagery that lurked within. Extending from its forearms were colossal wings, their expanse a testament to its untamed might.
It's a dragon!