Fruit of Malevolence (2)

As Seren charges forward, a radiant embodiment of light and power, her golden aura casts long shadows over the battlefield, her brilliance stark against the encroaching darkness of the forest. 

Her steps scorch the ground, and her glowing form sends waves of heat that make even her allies step back, their sweat-soaked clothes clinging to their trembling bodies.

Robert's awe turns to grim determination. '

She burns like a star… no, like a supernova,' he thinks, his breath catching in his throat.

The Sword of Light in Seren's hand burns with an unending, divine intensity, and she can feel its judgmental energy coursing through her. But the power is almost too much—voices echo in her mind, their relentless chant hammering her resolve.

'Kill-evil K-kill-evil Kill-evil Kill-evil K-kill-e-evil Kill-evil Kill-evil K-kill-e-evil...'

Her vision blurs from the strain, her head throbbing with pain, but her body moves instinctively, driven by the sword's will. The massive tree looms ahead, its demonic grin widening as if mocking her.

From its mouth, a beam of red and black energy erupts, a devastating laser that threatens to swallow her whole. Seren raises her sword and blocks it, the impact sending shockwaves through her arms. 

She presses forward, her body glowing even brighter as she cuts through the beam's oppressive force.

Roots emerge from the ground in her path, massive and gnarled, their darkened surfaces writhing with an evil energy. Seren swings the Sword of Light in a wide arc, slicing cleanly through the roots. Flames engulf the severed pieces, and they evaporate into ash almost instantly.

'Yes… with this power, I could kill him' she thinks, the sword's relentless will fueling her thoughts.

But then the earth shakes violently, not beneath her but toward her allies. Her eyes widen in horror as she realizes too late—the roots have tunneled underground, bypassing her entirely to attack the rest of the team.

"No!"

Seren screams, turning toward them, but the massive branches of the tree lash out, forcing her back. Each strike she deflects sends another wave of dizziness through her, spores erupting from the tree's bark are clouding the air around her.

The divine golden circle at her feet flickers slightly, her balance faltering.

Behind her, the massacre begins.

~~~

Kiaran, wielding his mighty axe, lets out a furious roar as a root bursts from the ground in front of him. With a swing that shakes the air, he cleaves it in two, the severed root writhing as green ichor sprays across the forest floor.

"Come on, you bastard!"

He shouts, but another root erupts from the ground behind him. He swings around to strike, but it's too late. The massive root crashes down on him, slamming him into the dirt. His axe clatters away as his body crumples beneath the crushing weight. Blood pools beneath him, his last thoughts bitter.

'Why didn't she use that power earlier...'

~~~

Finn remains kneeling by Ahri's lifeless body, his trembling hands resting on her bloodied form. Tears stream down his face, his voice a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Ahri... I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

He doesn't notice the sharp root descending toward him until it's too late. It impales him cleanly through the chest, lifting him into the air like a macabre trophy. His head droops forward, his blood dripping onto Ahri's body below. His final thought is one of regret.

~~~

Nico forms a crimson shield of blood around himself, his face contorted in determination. His voice is strained.

"You'll have to try harder than that!"

The roots slam against the shield repeatedly, each impact causing the barrier to crack and weaken. Nico grits his teeth, the blood he's using to sustain the shield draining rapidly.

He tries to reinforce it, but his essence is almost gone, and his body begins to tremble from the strain.

Finally, the shield shatters with a deafening crack, and the roots close in. One wraps around his torso, squeezing relentlessly. His ribs snap audibly, and blood pours from his mouth. As he is crushed, his thoughts are bitter.

'So this is how it ends… All for nothing.'

~~~

Robert, having the power of a Flamebound Awakened, channels the last reserves of his strength. His body glows faintly as he reinforces it with his Stigma's power, enduring the crushing blows of the roots.

"I won't die here!"

He loudly roars, punching one of the roots with enough strength to splinter its surface. But even his enhanced body can't hold out for long.

Seren's voice cuts through the chaos.

"Robert, get out of here! Inform the army—now!"

For a moment, Robert hesitates, looking at the blood-soaked battlefield and the crumpled forms of his teammates. He has a short moment, a final opportunity to flee the battlefield, abandoning his team.

He looks around him, checking on their situation, be he is horrified, as he realizes that there no longer is a team to abandon.

"Go!" Seren screams, her voice breaking.

Robert grits his teeth and turns, sprinting toward the Void Breach. The roots lash out after him, but he dodges with desperate agility, his reinforced body barely holding up against the onslaught.

~~~

Seren fights with everything she has, her golden sword blazing as she cuts through wave after wave of roots. The oppressive spores cloud her vision, and the tree's branches block her path, forcing her back.

Her teammates' dying screams echo in her ears, each one a dagger to her heart. She swings her sword wildly, severing another root, but the tree continues its relentless assault.

The ground beneath her glows faintly as her Stigma's power fights to keep her upright, but the exhaustion and pain threaten to overwhelm her.

The tree's sinister grin widens further as if reveling in her despair. Its branches sway mockingly, its corrupted face pulsating with malevolent energy.

Seren's voice trembles as she whispers to herself.

"I couldn't save them… I couldn't save any of them."

Her golden aura flickers as the weight of her guilt and anger crashes down on her. But even as tears stream down her face, she tightens her grip on the Sword of Light.

"I will end you," she growls through clenched teeth, her resolve hardening once more.

Seren looks around her, making sure that at least Robert escaped. The battlefield she sees is a scene of devastation, the once dry, but lush forest is now a graveyard of broken roots and lifeless bodies.

The towering abomination stands triumphant, its shadow engulfing Seren as they prepare for one final clash.