My feet glided across the jungle floor while cutting through any plant-giant in my path with my unsheathed twinblade, heading for the vine-wielding woman firing poison spikes at my soldiers. The towering trees and previously lush jungle biome was now utterly consumed in flames and the sounds of battle. All I needed was the green light from Korbin to hit something, and seeing everyone else carrying so much of the load this siege set my blood on fire. The vine contorting plant-lady held up behind the remainder of their forces' front line, though the woman's jog toward me indicated she embraced the challenge after locking eyes with me.
Good, you're not scared.
Lightning sizzled along the chains emerging from my hilts, as I slowly split my twinblade still sprinting straight for her. Identify triggered from far enough for me to slow my pace, allowing me a moment to read this plant-lady's level and race.
[Infernal Dryadic Sorceress (Level 14)]
'Infernal?'
One of the Sorceress's sprinting footfalls sank into the earth, sucking her entire body through the ground as the vines in her body merged into the jungle floor. My feet slid across the floor, holding completely still to feel for movement below. The sensation of earth brushing by my shoulder gave all the alarm needed, swiping my blade over my shoulder and slashing an incoming vine in half. Glimmering pink liquid sprayed from the cut as it wiggled back into the earth.
An immense warmth at my back began to manifest, suddenly replaced by the impact of being snatched from the ground. The familiar feathered head in front me brought an instant calm, which was abruptly crushed by a concussive wave of heat blasting into my back. Steve flapped his wings, launching above a cloud of flames exploding behind where I previously stood.
"What the fuck?! Who just threw a fireball at me?!" I angrily messaged Steve mentally.
"Korbin did. Don't worry, we're going back." He replied, whipping his body in a U-turn midair heading back toward the small fiery crater where Steve and snatched me from. The Dryadic Sorceress exploded out of the charred jungle earth, severely burned from her dozens of vines extending from her body to her shoulders. The Sorceress started letting out an ear splitting screech in pain, until Steve's Water Breath attack blasted into her face. Her head slammed into the ground, her feet rising into the jet stream of water bending unnaturally behind her head. Steve continued firing onto the Sorceress as he descended until finally lowering down enough for me to leap off.
Seeing the excess amount of water ripping through our foe gave me a rather unoriginal idea, concentrating on sending a constant surge of lightning mana through my blades. Steve's Water Breath subsided just in time for me to land blade-first into the prone Sorceress. Lightning crackled compounding in concentration the moment my weapons connected to the water-covered Dryad, the puddle below us creating a pool of bone-shocking energy.
*ding*
*ding*
A surprised grin overtook my face, removing my blade from the Dryadic Sorceress's corpse seeing how quickly she'd fallen. Looking up, our soldiers had already made strides in eradicating the remainder of the Plant-giants forces. Phoebe continued her fiery barrage of arrows ripping through the toothed plants responsible for the massive clouds of apparently combustible pink miasma. Seeing their backline retreating into the gate, I decided not to fix what wasn't broken and report back to Korbin. Looking up, Steve was already back to circling the battlefield, with Becky ripping through our foes below him.
The sprint back to Korbin proved far less eventful, other than dodging yet another fireball launched entirely too fucking close to me. Korbin wore a shit-eating grin as I made my way back to him, giving me reason to believe his friendly fire wasn't an accident.
"You know Cassi never threw small suns at me when I was fighting other settlement's champions. Food for thought, General." I hissed at Korbin, who was fighting desperately to contain his laughter.
"Okay, on record the first one was an accident. How many did you let die to a fucking bird-lady again?" Korbin replied, acting incredibly casual for being in an active combat zone.
"Whatever, what's our next move?" I asked, looking back to our soldiers who were chasing after the remaining plant-giants.
"We're doing it." Korbin said, joining his troops in their pursuit towards the Dryad-Giants' settlement. I smiled realizing the last part of our plan; all out blitz. Pumping my legs, my body accelerated straight toward the Gate the enemy giants kept half open to funnel their troops in. One of them spotted me, turning back to yell into the settlement. Whether or not they intended to close the gate was irrelevant to me, bolting straight passed them skidding to a stop inside their settlement. The structures all around me were all constructed from vines, trees and massive leaves. Dozens of plant-giants surrounded me, staring at me while frozen in place.
Might as well get to know them while I can.
[Dryadic Giant (Level 12)]
[Dryadic Giant (Level 11)]
[Dryadic Giant (Level 13)]
…
"Hey folks! I don't suppose any of you are willing to surrender?" I said, surveying the Dryadic Giants surrounding me. Surprisingly, a couple backed away before sprinting deeper into the settlement. The others however, appeared ready to die defending their Demigods whittling hold on this Pylon.
"Good, then let's make this fast, before my boss sees us." I announced, activating Fluidic Fighter Stance for the first time this entire battle. The towering Dryads collapsed around, their sharp wooden arms extending unnaturally towards me. Smiling, mark blades slapped together blasting an uncharged Lightning Bolt into the chest of one of the Dryadic Giants, burning a golf ball-sized hole in its green chest. Water Step propelled me forward horizontally, slashing a series of vines hurtling toward me as I dashed.
One of the giants stabbed forward with a sharp wooden spike for an arm, my chains wrapping around its sharp tip pushing its trajectory away from me in response. The gaunt stumbled forward, falling headfirst into my extending blade. Stepping around the giant's corpse turned his body in the path of another Dryad's stabbing strike. My shoulders rubbed against the corpse's back, spinning around and freeing my blade from his skull, Flow Striking the leg off of the Dryad elbow-deep in his fallen friend's back. He fell to the side, steel sliding across his plant neck along his fatal descent.
My shoulders narrowly twisted in time to avoid two more extended stabs, seeing 3 Dryads within 4 feet of me. Blue and white light flashed like a gatling gun in the dead of the night blasting several tempered Lightning Strikes through the surrounding Dryad's vegetative flesh in a barrage of spinning slashes. One of the Giants tried flanking me from behind, their figure catching my eye amidst my spinning strikes. Planting my foot, Flow Inverse sent the Flow carrying my spin back toward my flanker, slamming my heel into the Dryads vine and wooden skull. A hollow crack sounded at the end of my leg, stomping my kicking foot into the dirt with a final double bladed stab into his chest and neck.
"STOP!" A loud, elderly voice made the rest of the Dryads around me freeze, with only the faint sounds of their forces being eradicated by Korbin and our army outside of the gate hanging in the air. Surveying the settlement, a green old woman made of withering leaves and roots hobbled from the largest tree-structure at the center of town.
"We have lost! Tell your brothers we surrender, as I have now." The old Dryad demanded, slamming her walking stick down with two hands.
"A-are you the Pylon Leader, ma'am?" I asked, walking closer to the old Dryad. Her giant soldiers began crowding around her before she extended a hand up.
"Relax, we either find peace, or meet our Demigoddess today. Rejoice in what we've gained, not what will be lost." The old Dryad said, shewing away her Giants.
"I'll take that as a yes. Tell your men to come with me, if you wish to preserve those of yours outside these walls." I said, pointing a blade at the carnage ensuing through the open gate.
"Of course, but do take haste. This is my family, sir." The elderly Dryad replied, her shaky voice cracking somberly.
"Yes ma'am. YOU, let's go." I said, pointing to one of the Dryad Giants and jogging toward the gate. The Dryad bellowed for his troops to lower their arms, by word of 'Leader Emilia'. I ran to the front lines, waving my blades in the air.
"STAND DOWN! THEY SURRENDER, STAND DOWN!" I repeated, until finally catching Korbin's attention. He seconded my commands, eventually settling down the one sided slaughter. Their soldiers gathered just inside the settlement gate, all being put to their knees while Korbin, Cassi and I negotiated with the elderly Dryad Emilia in her wooden Pylon building.
"I want to begin by saying how grateful we are that you agreed to discuss a peaceful end to our battle. Would anyone like some tea?" Emilia said, hobbling beside a younger Dryad girl carrying a teapot.
"Oh that's quite alright, thank you." Korbin replied. Cassi and I waved off the over as well. Emilia poured herself a cup, placing it on a small plate before slowly sitting down in a dark wooden rocking chair.
"May I ask why you've chosen to attack us this afternoon?" Emilia asked, sipping from her tea.
"I see no reason to lie, multiple factions of Demigods employed us in taking hold of this Pylon. Unfortunately, you've already attacked one of them, forcing us to reciprocate." Korbin explained, calmly.
"Ah, the Tytos clan sent you, then?" Emilia asked. Korbin nodded, confirming her suspicion.
"I see. For what it's worth, attacking those mages wasn't my idea. The heart of our youth is often curious, but when given power it often evolves into greed. I fear my daughter knows this all too well." Emilia said, sipping from her tea yet again.
"You're saying your daughter was to blame for the assault on the Tytos? Why not send for mediation, to clear up this incredibly damaging miscommunication?" Korbin asked, rubbing his chin. Emilia smiled, placing her tea down onto her plate.
"You're a bright one, aren't you? As much as I wanted to, my daughter pleaded I give her time to handle it herself. I'd raised her to trust her instincts, and she swore hers told her the Tytos were an enemy. It would seem she confused her ego for instincts. In a way, as did I." Emilia said, rubbing her temples with a deep sigh.
"Well, as a father to a little girl myself, I'm no stranger to empathy for a fellow parent. I understand how difficult it may be, having your own flesh and blood trying to find themselves in a world like this. Which is why I would like to discuss a peaceful ending to this, starting with you relinquishing control of this Pylon." Korbin said, pointing to the small rock sitting beside Emilia's teapot on the coffee table between us.
"Of course, I expected nothing less." Emilia replied, affably.
"Second, you and your Dryads must sign a contract of my design, essentially ensuring none of you can betray me without severe repercussions. Do we agree on these terms?" Korbin asked, lifting his hand manifesting a contract from a ball of flame that hovered in the air. Emilia leaned back in her rocking chair, staring pensively considering Korbin's proposal.
"…I suppose we truly don't have a choice, do we? I've been warned of your contracts, though I see no world where you let my people live without signing it." Emilia said, mulling over her decision out loud. Korbin stood up, walking around the coffee table and placing a hand on Emilia's shoulder.
"You will be given the opportunity to join us as well, something many literally kill to get a chance of achieving nowadays. It's your call." Korbin added, hamming up his offer.
"Alright…then you win. Please, let me fetch my daughter to arrange her contract personally. You may make any terms you wish of me, though I have certain limits for my daughter." Emilia said, placing her final request. Korbin nodded, beginning to agree when I noticed a familiarity in Emilia's face.
"Hey, who was your daughter again?" I asked. Korbin's eyes shot wide open standing behind Emilia, who turned her attention to my question.
"Oh, she's a wonderfully talented Sorceress, and the pride of my li-"
"Oh shit, how many Sorceresses do you have? The last one was pretty tou-" Korbin's body language deflating behind Emilia's shoulder made what she was saying register far too late, realizing what I'd just admitted to.
"..no. She and I are the only…Carly, go fetch your cousin from her chambers." Emilia said, staring wide eyed into mine. The young Dryad sprinted out of the room, the thumping of footsteps ascending above indicating the Sorceress's room was upstairs.
"What did you mean when you said the 'last one' was tough?" Emilia asked, her posture slowly straightening from her previously hunched stance.
"Uhh…"
"Auntie Emilia! Kathy's not in her room!" The little Dryad's voice echoed from upstairs, Korbin's head dropping disappointedly afterwards. Emilia's eyes exploded in red and green energy burning from either socket, her walking stick lifting up toward me.
"You, what did you d-agh" Emilia's aggressive questioning was cut short by the squelching slap of Korbin's axe slashing into Emilia's neck from behind. He ripped his weapon free, spinning back with orange glowing arms cutting Emilia's head clean from her shoulders. Her body collapsed to the floor, her head bouncing under the coffee table. Cassi quickly paced to the door the little girl Carly exited from, stopping her from seeing hee auntie just in time. Cassi knelt down talking to Carly while Korbin placed his hand on the stone on the coffee table. Instantly, the structures reformed into black and gold steel, the ground covering itself in painted concrete. He shot me an angry look, saying fully how idiotic my prying had been.
After helping Korbin move Emilia's remains, we waited outside of the Pylon building for Cassi, who exited holding the little Dryad's hand. The little one's hair was made entirely of thin vines, with an arrangement of purple and pink flowers across her forehead. She stood around 5 feet tall, though her features and the fact she's a giant implied she couldn't be older than 7. Cassi gave us both a grave look, while the girl wore a rather happy one.
"Mister Korbin! Thank you again for sending my auntie to help find Kathy! I promise, I'll get so good at investigating one day, you'll have to take me to the Elysium to help with your search!" The girl said, running and hugging Korbin's leg. He stared blankly ahead, not even looking as he patted her head.
"Of course, little one. Of course you will." Korbin said, gesturing to Cassi with his head to take the girl from him.
"Come on sweety, let's see if we can't find your mother." Cassi said, taking the little Dryad girl's hand and leading her away.
"Bye!" The Dryad yelled, waving as she walked further into the settlement, away from her currently imprisoned people.
"…I'm sorry." I said, standing beside Korbin who stood staring after Cassi and the little Dryad.
"It's…let's get their forces either under contract or exiled. We have a defense to prepare for tomorrow, and I need to speak with Winston back at their settlement today before nightfall." Korbin said, rushing towards the front of the now far more familiar settlement, given the naturalistic style of buildings had all morphed to fit Korbin's modern Romanesque aesthetic.
Most of their warriors chose exile, with only a handful of Dryads who mainlined their professions agreeing to sign Korbin's Infernal Contract. Due to the sheer quantity of casualties they suffered, it didn't take long for Korbin to slog through their numbers. Once we'd allowed them time to flee from our new territory, Korbin, Cassi and I rode Steve back to the Tytos settlement to inform them of our success. Phoebe, Derrick, Barry and Becky would be plenty enough to defend our new settlement for a few hours, especially with our forces and new defenses in place.
The trip back to the Tytos Giants was much quicker, not having to march on foot to avoid abandoning our much slower bipedal soldiers. Their gates opened without question as Steve slithered up, receiving an escort to Winston at his Pylon Building upon arrival.
"You've returned! I take it the children of Lily, The Baur have been dealt with?" Winston asked, smiling at his desk behind the war table as we entered.
"We've seized control over their Pylon, and managed to recruit a couple alchemists and leather workers." Korbin replied, walking around the table to his desk. I followed after, not exactly certain what else I'm to do in these situations.
"Excellent! With that, our people may live in harmony, unfettered by our radical cousins." Winston said, with a pleasant smile. Korbin sat at the chair opposite to Winston in front of his desk, though there was only one leaving me to literally stand by.
"I'm glad you mentioned that, because while the nature of our agreement is already signed in infernal ink, I wish to remind you of a few very important stipulations articulated in our contract." Korbin said, summoning a long piece of parchment paper from a burst of flames above his hand.
"You see, we agreed to trade our most valuable commodities, at a cut rate of course. In exchange, you're exempt from having to concede your ownership over this Pylon." Korbin continued, pointing at the paper to Winston.
"Of course! Our grimoires and spellbooks are without a doubt the most advanced magical items available in all of the tutorial, and we're fully prepared to provide a lump sum free of charge for your wonderful assistance." Winston replied, maintaining his affable demeanor.
"And I appreciate such a kindness that operates outside of the nature of our agreement. However, I believe these alone are not your most valuable commodity." Korbin said, leaning back in his chair.
"No? Forgive me sir Korbin, but I believe you're mistaken. Tytos knows how gifted his children are in his most cherished practice."
"I'm not. These books you offer, they're without a shadow of a doubt a boon to our factions capabilities, and will happily accept. In fact, their ability to copy spells and enchantments are almost exclusively why I agreed to you maintaining your independence as a faction. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these books do not last forever, do they?" Korbin asked. Winston's brow raised in curiosity.
"It depends. If used with haste in the hands of a skilled mage, I'd say it should last you many, many battles and enchantments." Winston answered.
"Many, but not every. Which is why the knowledge required to create such powerful mediums for magic is undeniably your most valuable asset, is it not?" Korbin asked, his devious grin visible standing beside him. Winston's smile slowly dropped, staring gravely before responding.
"You wish for us to teach you? These skill sets take time, Korbin. We cannot merely give a brief overview on how to perf-"
"You misunderstand. You're people will teach us, but not here. I'll be taking your most gifted enchanters to Elysium to work for me, under my banner. They will teach our budding enchanters, who will return here to teach yours." Korbin said, placing a leg onto his knee.
"What? You can't…that was not our agreement." Winston said, standing up behind his desk.
"I think I've made it rather clear that it is, in fact, our deal. Which brings me to the next key clause here." Korbin said, pointing back at the contract. The paper expanded in size, the font growing large enough for even my eyes to make out.
"It's there at the bottom, 'if either party is to violate the express terms of this contract at any given time, violator is to devote their spirit and concede their Pylon leadership to Korbin Erickson indefinitely.'" He read aloud.
"Wait, that means no matter what, you're unaffected?!" Winston so expertly pointed out.
"You know for the Chosen of a Demigod renown as the 'Forsaken Scholar', you certainly resent reading." Korbin snickered, standing up from his own chair. Winston rubbed his head, pacing back and forth.
"So, when should I expect your finest to be ready to depart? I'll have a convoy sent here to escort them to Elysium." Korbin said, gingerly pushing his chair back in.
"You…I'll have them ready in an hour." Winston said, sighing with his face in his hands.
"Good. I'll have an escort sent back here in two. Fair warning, a second serpent will be here." Korbin said before looking at me, signaling it was time to leave. As we opened the exit to the Pylon building, Korbin stopped looking back into the room.
"Oh, and Winston! Enjoy your independence, Tytos knows you've earned it."