21 The [Corrupted] Woods

"The source of the forest's growth is magic. That is what you're going with, Aurelius?"

"Quite right, Cecilia, and in this world, magic runs on something called mana. To describe it in the simplest way, it's some sort of energy."

That was something I have learned during the many lessons given to me during my down time at the palace. At the very least, from how mana was described and how it was said to create physical mass in all sorts of spells, I have determined that mana in most likely some form of energy. If that is true, then it would explain the pattern of the forest's growth.

"Simply put, the further the forest is from the energy source, the slower it grows."

"That may explain how the forest's growth slowed down, but after a period it picked up speed again, didn't it."

"It did, which is why I think that in order to continually accelerate the forest's growth, the [Demons] would bring another power source from somewhere and placed it near the region where they need the forest to expand. As for the location, our best guess would be around where the edge of where the forest was a month ago, when its growth suddenly accelerated once more."

I turned towards the commander and have him show me where the forest was approximately a month ago.

"There, the power source should be around here."

"And if we destroy said power source, then the forest would stop expanding, is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly, and if all goes well, the section of the forest may collapse all together since its rapid growth was sustained by this power source in the first place."

"Guess we'll have to go get it then, won't we, Aurelius?"

"We'll have to, Michaela's [Holy Ward] should stop the [Corrupt] status effect from stacking up, though I'm more concerned on whether or not there's an actual power source or not. This is, in the end, just a theory."

As I was concern about the possibility of me being completely wrong and off the mark, a small hand came and grasped mine.

"I trust you, Aurelius. You haven't failed us before."

"You give me too much credit, princess."

"Even so, I leave the fate of my kingdom to you. Right now, we have no better options."

Putting it like that, what else am I to do? I'll have to do it one way or another, don't I?

"I get it. I'll do everything I can."

That was the conversation that happened within the war room yesterday. I can only hope that my guess was spot on, or at least even half right, otherwise we'd all be going on a wild goose chase where good men would have to die for something that wasn't even there.

***

As we approached the forest, the [Demons] began to surge out of the gaps between the trees. Most of them are the smaller [Demons] the ones that looked like monkeys and the ones that looked like wolves. The troops prepared for battle and so did we, the Champions.

Cecilia took the front and faced down the [Demon] horde where it was the thickest, halting the enemies charge with her shield. She was using the Knight skill, [Guarding Stance], and as the [Demons] smashed into her immovable shield, she activates the follow up skill, [Counter Blast], firing a bladed shockwave into the horde, mowing several enemies down in a single swing.

While Cecilia moved in, Toto had already begun casting her spell. Toto is a Sorcerer/Enchanter and uses a build that concentrate solely on skills that increases magic power or help her deal damage more effectively in the Enchanter skill trees, maximizing her damage potential, but as a drawback she could do very little else other than casting offensive spells. In this world without Mp potions, she'll have to be careful to not run out of Mp before the fight is over, especially in long fights such as this.

Once Cecilia had halted the main body of the [Demon] horde Toto unleashes her spell.

"[Firestorm]!"

A whirlwind of fire appeared in the midst of the [Demon] horde sweeping across their numbers and quickly reducing them to charcoals. The [Firestorm] is a mid-tier Sorcerer spell that does a moderate area-of-effect [Heat] damage, however, due to Toto's focus of magic boosting skills in her skill tree, even a mid-tier spell such as [Firestorm] can deal massive amount of damage in a very short amount of time.

With Cecilia and Toto taking care of the bulk of the [Demon], the troops moved in to deal with the scattering remnants. Six as well, taking advantage of disarray of the scattering [Demons], approached from the flank and intercepted them one by one. Six is a Warrior/Assassin, who specializes in single target damage and duel wielding in the Warrior's skill tree. For the Assassin's skill tree, he has points mainly in the Assassin's movement skills and offensive skills with special movements, using them to move through enemies and hitting them from all sorts of angles. He's a pain to face off against in 1v1 PVP, and despite not being a build with a whole lot of Hp, Six has a high survivability in fights due to his excellent use of these movement skills to evade damage.

Moving from one [Demon] to another, Six made short work of each and every one of the [Demons] with speed and precision, felling them one by one in an almost rhythmic fashion with his dual blades.

In hardly anytime at all, the horde was cleared with very few survivors being able to retreat back to the forest. The troops were amazed at the speed in which we were able to clear out what seemed to be hundreds of [Demons] at once, but in truth, they were rather weak compared to us, and clearing out mobs such as this a hundred at a time is what we do mostly back in Elysium Online. Still, we can't be relaxing just yet, the forest is just ahead of us, with far stronger enemies waiting within.

We eventually arrived in front of the forest, the tall trees and reaching braches appeared to be a giant maw into a bottomless stomach.

Cecilia addressed the rest of us without taking her eyes off the forest.

"Everybody ready?"

Six stared into the forest and took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter, there's no turning back now."

Toto nodded in agreement.

"One way or another we'll have to see this through."

And finally, I gulped down a mouthful of spit in my mouth before letting out a heavy sigh. Hopefully, I'm not wrong about all of this. Oh please, please let me be right, or else the blood of everyone here will be on my hands- No, I suppose blood is already going to be on my hands. I cannot guarantee that there will be no casualties in this battle. People will die, believing that this strategy of mine will bring them victory. My hands are fated to be bloodied over and over again so long as I continue down this path. I can only hope, pray, that all of it will not be in vain.

"Let's go... Let's win this!"

***

Before setting foot into the forest, the troops were split into two. There are the ones who would remain behind and defend the village, and those that will enter the forest with us. In my opinion it was good of the commander to have the foresight to reserve troops in case we fail, not to mention that when amongst the trees, there's probably not much space for all these soldiers, especially when they're suppose to be centered on us, the Champion, who will be doing much of the heavy lifting with them providing support when needed.

Upon entering the forest, my vision starts spazzing out, like a broken television. It seems like my [Insight] skill is acting up again.

"Aurelius?"

Cecilia called out to me in concern, prompting everyone else to turn towards me.

"I'm fine, my vision just acted up a little, it happens from time to time."

"Should we turn back?"

It was Toto who suggested it. She may be quiet but I see now that she's also quite considerate.

"No, it's too late to turn back now. Besides, it never got in the way before."

"Very well, but make sure to tell us if you're not feeling well, alright."

"I don't take you for the worrying type, Cecilia, but yes, I'll be sure to tell you."

It did not take long for my vision to recover, but upon recovery, a line of text appeared before my vision. [World Devourer Woods] it said, popping up as if announcing the name of a raid boss at the beginning of the boss' stage.

"[World Devourer Woods]!?"

"Aurelius?"

Again, the others turn towards me.

"Is anyone seeing this? Toto?"

I turned to Toto because she too has the [Insight] skill, she had taken it so that she could see the enemy's elemental weakness and so enables her to deal the maximum about of damage. Granted, she could have just looked those up online but she said she couldn't be bothered to remember them all.

"No, I don't see anything."

"What did you see, Aurelius?"

"The name, [World Devourer Woods]. Doesn't that sound familiar, Cecilia?"

Cecilia took a moment to think, and with a snap of her fingers, she quickly recalled.

"The 'World Destroyers' right, at least, this seems to be the naming convention related to them."

"The 'World Destroyers'? What are those?"

Six don't seem to have an idea about it. I guess he isn't the type to browse the forums.

"That's what the players are calling the series of raid bosses that came out or is coming with the latest updates of Elysium Online, Starting with [World Ender Dragon] and then [World Breaker Behemoth], with more to come in subsequent updates."

As he listens to my explanation, from his facial expression alone, I can see Six piecing it all together in his head.

"So Aurelius, you're saying that this entire forest, this [World Devourer Woods], is one of those bosses?"

"Could be, or maybe it's just a coincidence."

"One way or the other, it doesn't matter right now. What's important is that we beat it, right?"

"Cecilia's right, we can leave that for another day. For now, let's focus on the battle, and speaking of..."

Emerging from the shades cast by the trees, more [Demons] came to intercept our advance, and not just the smaller ones either, but the boars and the bears as well, and scurrying in the underbrush, I think I saw some rabbits also, very evil, very demonic looking rabbits. And the birds fluttering over us, those are likely [Demons] as well. It's clear now, that the attacks from before were merely harassments, right here, right now, the forest, the World Devourer, is serious.

"It seems like the forest is pulling out all the stops."

Cecilia flashes a smile, showing no fear or even a glimpse of distress whatsoever.

"That just means it's feeling threatened, Aurelius."

She then turns towards the rest of the troops.

"You see this? The forest is getting scared, it's feeling threatened by us! All hands, battle formation! Let's show them that they are very right to be afraid!"

The troops ready their swords and let out a resounding warcry, shaking even the leaves and branches hanging above us. Shaken, the monkey [Demons] sitting atop the trees commence their assault, hurling stones at us with what appears to be makeshift slings.

While the stones do not do much damage against the armor worn by the soldiers, for spells casters such as Toto and I, both lacking heavy armor, they're quite a threat, especially if they hit our heads. Fortunately, two of the soldiers were quick enough to realize that and came to our aid, shielding us from the assault above.

"Focus on the enemies on the ground!"

Cecilia was quick to give out a command, and the soldiers adhere to her as if it is the most natural thing to do.

"Toto, get rid of the enemies above!"

And of course, being our guild master, she gives orders to us as well, and for us, there's never a reason to not obey, as her judgment has always been sound.

"[Firestorm]!"

With a wave of her wand, Toto transformed the upper half of the forest from a scenery of lush green into an hellish inferno of burning red, and the [Demons] from above all fell down to the ground almost simultaneously while being covered in a ball of fire.

And so, with that spectacular opening, out second battle for the day begins.

***

End of Chapter 21