Teamwork!

[Date: 2/7]

[Time: 2:00 PM]

[Location: Azure Woodlands - Deep Blue Grove]

Everyone readied their weapons to face off against Clover, the air was tense and full of anticipation. Neither side made a move, each of us waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I looked at my teammates behind me then looked forward at Clover.

Clover chuckled as he waited for us, getting into his battle stance. "What will you all do..? You took down Basil and Aoba so I know you're strong...but are you strong enough to challenge me?!"

"Let's go!" I rallied, forming a hand gesture, a pool of shadow energy spreading out around the arena.

Clover looked around and noticed the shadow energy raising from the ground. He chuckled softly, turning his attention back toward me. He noticed Pandora and Hime were missing and looked around for them.

Pandora emerged from the shadows, knocking Clover upward with a high reaching kick. Hime appeared in front of Clover and knocked him away with an aerial spinning kick, following her attack by shooting multiple lightning arrows at him.

[Clover's HP: 4,000/4,000 -> 3,872/4,000]

Clover landed on the ground, deflecting each arrow then threw his axe at Hime. Hime blocked his axe, grunting as she was being pushed back. She managed to raise her arms in the air, successfully deflecting the axe. Clover dashed toward Hime and leaped on the air, summoning his axe back into his hand.

"Skill: Gaia's Rage!" Clover bellowed, slashing down.

As Clover came down with a powerful slash, Pandora rushed forward and perfectly parried the slash, knocking Clover off guard, a spark of light flashing and illuminating the dark arena. Clover looked surprised, being caught off guard by Pandora's perfect timing.

"Hime, go for it!" Pandora called out.

Hime twirled her bow then aimed at Clover, her eyes flashing brightly. "Skill: von Auger's Bolt!"

Hime formed a black lightning arrow, firing it at Clover, but a vine wrapped around his waist, pulling him away from the black lightning arrow. Hime looked around and noticed yellow eyes appearing on someone of the trees. She and Pandora squeaked as they noticed Ents beginning to awaken around us.

"Ents!" Hime cried out, hurrying back to me. "Kieran! Ents have Petrifying Gaze! They can turn us into stone if we look at them in the eyes!"

{Suru: Ents...So that's what these trees are. I knew they looked...a bit too alive.}

I nodded my head looking around the arena, hearing whispering around us. The Ents seemed to be talking, their whispers chilling and haunting. I felt chills crawling down my spine, my skin growing colder to the touch.

"The playing field has changed!" Clover laughed from the shadows of the arena, his voice echoing around us.

I released the shadows around us then closed my eyes. 'My Shikigami will have zero effect if I can't pin him down. Blaise's Skills will have zero effect due to the Field Effect. I need a plan...and with these Ents around us, Hime and Pandora are too scared to fight..'

"What's wrong Wielders? Too scared to fight now?" Clover taunted, his voice echoing once again. "Good... because the Deep Blue Groves is my territory!"

The Ents all used their Skill, Gaia Storm, launching a whirlwind of razor sharp leaves all around us. Boreas formed a dome of ice around us to block the storm the Ents had conjured.

"Kieran, what's the plan?" Boreas asked, looking back at me.

"I'm thinking," I replied, closing my eyes and began to mentally flip through the Monarch Index.

"I don't want to seem like I'm rushing, but can you think faster? Boreas doesn't do well on the defensive side!" Blaise said, her tone filled with urgency.

Clover laughed as he zipped across the arena, rapidly striking Boreas's barrier from all angles, each strike slowly wearing down his defenses. I grunted softly as I held my head, trying to think of a perfect plan.

"Kieran!" Blaise called out as the barrier shattered.

"This is it! You're finished!" Clover laughed, appearing above us, the blade of his battle axe glowing green. "Skill: Demon's Punishment!"

As he came down with a slash, I opened my eyes, forming a hand gesture. "Esoteric Darkness Technique: Shadow Strike!"

I countered with a roundhouse kick, a second impact striking him via shadow and launching Clover away. I ran forward and leaped in the air, coming down with a swift spinning kick, the second impact striking Clover on the top of his head and staggering him.

[Clover's HP: 3,872/4,000 -> 3,623/4,000]

"Esoteric Fire Technique!" I bellowed. "Blaise, move now!"

{Suru: Wait! Fire Attacks won't work on him!}

"Soul Blazer!" I bellowed, firing a burst of flames in the air.

[MP: 510/510 -> 470/510]

The burst of flames struck the intertwined branches of the arenas, setting the Ents around us ablaze and causing them to separate. As the Ents spread apart, a bit for sunlight began to peek through, casting a harsh glow upon the arena. The Ents screeched from the sunlight, scurrying away to the darkness of the forest.

Clover stepped backwards, holding the back of his head and chuckling softly. "So you know my Field Effect's weakness huh?"

"Your own Summons exposed it. Had they not appeared, I wouldn't have figured it out. And with the sunlight now exposed, your Field Effect will be weakened, allowing Fire Damage to harm you," I said, smirking at Clover.

Clover noticed my smirk then sensed an attack behind him. He looked back and grunted heavily as he barely managed to block the brutal swing from Blaise's lance. He slid backwards then looked up, noticing Blaise rushing toward him.

"Skill: Soul Areadbhar!" Blaise bellowed, swiftly evading Clover's attack and struck him with her shield to stagger him.

Clover groaned as he stumbled backwards, holding his face. Blaise's lance began to become encased with fire then she thrusted her lance and pierced Clover. She leaped upward and slammed him to the ground, causing his body to bounce off the ground.

"Boreas!" Blaise called out, jumping out of the way.

Boreas ran forward and jumped upward, kicking Clover to the ground and dove down, stabbing his sword into the ground, freezing Clover. He stood up and his eyes shone brightly.

"Skill," Boreas said coldly, his icy aura flowing rapidly around his body. "Heilbrazen!"

Boreas slashed down, his sword crashing down upon Clover causing a cloud of frost to form around him. Boreas leaped backwards, watching the cloud of frost clear slowly.

Clover laughed as he stood up, letting out a battle cry and his aura clearing the cloud around him. Clover looked at us with a smirk, his heart pounding against his chest from adrenaline. "Yes...Yes! This is what I've been waiting for! Worthy opponents! This is all I've been wanting!"

[Warning! Clover is growing stronger!]

Clover's body began to glow, a wing of gaia energy emerging from his back. A symbol shined on his chest, the symbol glowing a bright green. The glow around his body vanished, revealing his next form.

|Name: Gaia's Apostle Clover

|Level: 20

|HP: 6,000/6,000

|MP: 1,200/1,200

"What?! Did he just...evolve?!" Hime asked in pure awe, her eyes widening in shock.

"Evolution..? This is his Indomitable Spirit. He evolved by just pure determination..." I said, bracing myself even more.

Clover stepped forward, his eyes scanning each of us and his confident smirk unwavering. "Summoning Technique: Gaia Totec!"

The ground began to rumble, a sprout growing from the ground then bloomed into an Ent. The Ent began to open its mouth wide open and a Dryad-like decoy emerged from the Ent's mouth, her body a lime green and her eyes blood red. The scleras of her eyes became black, giving her a nearly demonic look.

Hime clutched her bow tightly, looking at the monstrosity that Clover had summoned. "What...is that..?"

|Name: Tree of Rebirth Totec

|Level: 20

|HP: 6,000/6,000

|MP: 2,000/2,000

The appearance of Totec shifted the balance of the battle. Clover stood confidently, his new form radiating power. The five of us regrouped, forming a defensive stance against the combined threat of Clover and Totec.

"Hime, Pandora, focus on Totec. Blaise, Boreas, you're with me on Clover. Let's move!" I commanded, my voice steady despite the chaos.

Hime and Pandora nodded, their fear giving way to determination. Hime nocked an arrow, her eyes narrowing as she aimed at Totec. "Skill: Lightning Shot!" she shouted, releasing the arrow which crackled with electricity.

Pandora, her eyes glowing with determination, vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind Totec. She delivered a swift series of slashes, each strike aimed at its vital points. "Skill: Phantom Slash!"

Totec roared, its demonic eyes glowing fiercely as it retaliated. Vines shot out from its body, whipping toward Hime and Pandora. Hime rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, while Pandora's form flickered, evading the vines with ease.

Meanwhile, Blaise, Boreas, and I focused our efforts on Clover. Blaise charged forward, her lance glowing with fiery energy.

"Skill: Flame Thrust!" she bellowed, driving her weapon toward Clover.

Clover deflected Blaise's lance with his battle axe, the clash of weapons sending sparks flying. He swung his axe in a wide arc, aiming to catch Blaise off guard. Boreas intercepted, his ice blade meeting Clover's axe with a resounding clang.

"Skill: Frost Barrier!" Boreas shouted, forming a shield of ice to block Clover's strike.

I seized the opportunity, my hands weaving through intricate gestures. "Esoteric Darkness Technique: Shadow Chains!" Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around Clover's legs and immobilizing him. "Blaise, now!"

Blaise leaped into the air, her lance blazing with intensity. She descended with a powerful thrust, aiming for Clover's chest. "Skill: Phoenix Strike!"

The lance pierced through Clover's defenses, striking him squarely in the chest. Clover roared in pain, his amber eyes flaring with anger. "You…will not…defeat me!" he growled, breaking free from the shadow chains with a surge of gaia energy.

[Clover's HP: 6,000/6,000 -> 4,850/6,000]

The ground beneath us trembled as Clover summoned more power. His aura intensified, the green glow around him becoming almost blinding. "Skill: Gaia's Wrath!"

The earth beneath us erupted, jagged rocks shooting up from the ground. Blaise, Boreas, and I scrambled to avoid the deadly spikes. Despite the chaos, we managed to maintain our focus.

"Hime, Pandora, how's it going with Totec?" I called out, my voice strained from exertion.

"We're holding our own, but this thing is tough!" Hime replied, firing another lightning arrow at Totec. Pandora continued her relentless assault, her blades a blur as she slashed at the creature.

I nodded, determination fueling my actions. "We need to take down Clover fast. If we don't, he'll overwhelm us with his power."

Blaise, panting from the exertion, tightened her grip on her lance. "Right. Let's give it everything we've got."

Boreas, his icy aura shimmering, stepped forward. "Skill: Glacial Storm!" he shouted, unleashing a blizzard that enveloped Clover, freezing the ground around him.

"Now's our chance!" I yelled, charging forward. I focused my energy, channeling it into my next attack. "Esoteric Darkness Technique: Abyssal Blade!"

A dark blade formed in my hand, its edge shimmering with a menacing glow. I leaped toward Clover, striking with all my might. The blade cut through his defenses, leaving a deep gash across his chest.

[Clover's HP: 4,850/6,000 -> 3,200/6,000]

Clover staggered, his aura flickering. "You…won't win…" he muttered, his strength waning.

Totec noticed Clover in danger and launched a barrage of vines at him. The vines wrapped around his waist, pulling him toward itself. The tree spit out the dryad, hurling it toward Pandora and Hime. The two girls squeaked and ran off from the body of the decoy, their eyes landing on the body.

Clover chuckled softly as he began to enter the trunk of the Ent. The Ent and Clover began to become one, the process looking horrifying and surreal. The Ent chomped down on Clover, causing Hime and Pandora to scream, their eyes widening as they watched Clover's severed arms falling to the ground.

"What is this..?" Hime asked, her legs trembling with fear as she stepped backward.

Pandora held onto Hime, watching the horrifying evolution before her very eyes. "He's... fusing with Totec... he's been eaten in the process.."

Blaise rushed forward and encased her lance in flames then lunged forward. She went for an attack, but the Ent roared, launching her away with a powerful swing of its roots. Boreas caught Blaise and slid backwards.

[Blaise's HP: 1,021/1,021 -> 721/1,021]

Boreas grunted softly from how much damage his sister took, his gaze returning to Totec and watching the process take place. "What is going on.."

The process went on for what felt like hours, but soon the Ent began to rot and decay. We watched as a new being emerged from the now decaying Ent, his body renewed and fully evolved. His body was now covered in bark and vines, his eyes glowing a lush green hue, and a bright green symbol glowed on his chest. He wore a white mask to cover his face and had wooden horns protruding from his head.

{Suru: The Tree of Rebirth just rebirth Clover into a Gaialing! He was about to lose, but Totec saved him and gave him new power! This boss is insane! Three Phases!}

|Name: Gaialing Clover

|Level: 25

|HP: 9,000/9,000

|MP: 2,000/2,000

As we stared at Clover and what he had become, we were filled with a mix of awe and terror. Not only did he have three health bars now, but he had also grown way stronger. His very presence was terrifying, but I knew I couldn't break as my Guild needed me to stay strong and alert.

{Quest Win Conditions Changed!}

{Win Condition: Lower Clover's HP to a certain point!}

'The conditions have changed...So this was supposed to happen. We aren't supposed to win this fight. No wonder it was dragging on for so long,' I thought, clearing my mind of any doubts and hesitations.

"I...am Gaia's Servant...Gaia Family...must be rebuilt. The Groves...is where our Queen rests...must... protect...Gaia..." Clover said, his tone haunting and chilling.

I stared at Clover for a moment then remembered the whispers of the Ents from early on in the fight. "Protect Gaia...Gaia Family. They were one of the Three Elemental Families along with Hestia and Khione."

"But that Family has been long extinct after the Solomon Family eradicated them to get to the Heart of the Forests. But I guess it wouldn't be impossible for Gaia herself to still be alive taken she's Omnipresent within every Forest Area. If she's still alive, the Heart of the Forest is still alive as well," Boreas said, his tone calm as he stared at Clover.

"Heart of the Forest?" Hime asked, stepping backwards to regroup with us.

"The Heart of Nature. It rests deep in any forest and constantly moves around. Destroying Gaia's Heart would be equivalent of destroying every Forest Area in Esoria. It's a massive red orb that's guarded by powerful beasts and Gaia Knights, and the Heart is also shielded with roots and vines. You'll only find bit deep within any forest," Blaise answered, finally picking herself back up.

Clover stepped toward us, his arms transforming into blades. He crouched down and his eyes shined brightly. "I will protect my Queen!"

Clover's body flickered then he vanished at high speeds, rushing around us and locking onto me. He appeared in front of me, launching me back with a powerful kick. He vanished again and appeared in front of me, slashing down with his bladed arms. I evaded his slash then countered with a knee to his stomach, but it dealt barely any damage to him.

Clover roared, his aura pushing me back and he slashed down at me once more. Before his arm could connect, Pandora threw a talisman at me, a barrier forming around my body and blocking Clover's attack.

"Protect Gaia!" Clover roared, adding more pressure to the barrier.

"Quell Clover's Anger..." A voice spoke to me in my head. "He is only after you...only you can deal the final blow.."

I opened my eyes and looked up at Clover then my eyes flashed with Indomitable Spirit. 'Gaia..?' I was caught off guard by her communication with me, but soon cleared my mind again.

I looked at Pandora, summoning my Infernal Claws. "Pandora, let down the barrier!"

"Huh?! But if he hits you—"

"It's alright! Trust me!" I called out, giving her a reassuring nod.

Pandora was a bit hesitant to lower the barrier, but knew she had to. She lowered the barrier, watching as Clover's blade came crashing down toward me. I parried his attack then palmed his chest, a pulse of flame circling around my hand and blowing him away.

"I need time to charge up my attack! Everyone cover me!" I called out, gripping my wrist. "Grand World!"

[Grand World Activated!]

[MP: 350/510 -> 300/510]

Hime looked back at me then looked at Clover, her fears slowly washing away as she knew I had something planned. She stepped forward and twirled her bow swiftly. "Alright everyone! My Commoner has something planned in his head and good or bad, we have no choice but to trust him completely! Boreas, Blaise, you're new to this guild so I don't expect you two to fully trust him. But I do. I trust him with my life. So with that, follow my lead as I am your Princess!"

Boreas and Blaise nodded, readying their weapons. Pandora readied her talismans, taking her position next to me to protect me from any damage while I charged up an attack.

This was it, the final stretch against Clover. With everyone's positions assumed, the final stretch was now commencing.

"Charge!" Hime roared, dashing forward.

Boreas and Blaise dashed toward Clover as well and the three engaged combat with him. Clover began dodging each of their attacks nimbly, watching each of their movements closely. Clover roared and a burst of branches emerged from his body, causing the three to spread out.

"Boreas, stop his movements with your Ice! I'll shock him once he's wet and stun him! Blaise, once he's been electrified, finish up with a Fire Attack to Overload him!" Hime commanded. "Go!"

Boreas dashed toward Clover, leaving a trail of ice behind him. He roared as he slashed at him, but Clover blocked the slash with his arm. The two began to clash and parry each other's attacks, neither side giving the other the advantage.

Boreas evaded Clover's next slash by ducking under his arm then countered by slashing at his legs, freezing them. He jumped back as his part was finished. "Princess!"

"Skill: Imperial Lightning Star!" Hime bellowed, her voice echoing the arena.

Her lightning briefly flashed iridescent colors, the energy she exuded growing stronger. She fired the bow at Clover, striking him head on. A massive explosion happened, taking shape of a large star. Clover groaned loudly as he was now stunned.

"Blaise! Now!" Hime called out, getting out of the way.

Blaise launched herself forward and tossed her shield aside, leaping into the air. "Skill: Soulblaze!"

She bellowed as she launched her lance at Clover, her lance impaling him and causing an explosion which blew her away in the process. Boreas caught Blaise then sensed powerful energy behind them.

"Clear the way!" I called out, my iridescent energy flaring around my body.

Boreas and Blaise looked surprised at the amount of energy I was exuding. They quickly moved out of the way, clearing the path for my attack. Hime watched me, her heart racing with excitement and anticipation for my attack.

"Esoteric Fire Technique!" I bellowed, holding my hand out toward Clover. "Ragna Blast!"

[MP: 300/510 -> 100/510]

I bellowed, firing a large beam of infernal energy at Clover, my body sliding backwards from the recoil. Clover roared in pain, the beam completely engulfing his body. An massive explosion happened, creating a massive smoke cloud that could be seen by travellers in the Monarch Outskirts.

[Clover's HP: 9,000/9,000 -> 4,500/9,000]

The smoke cloud began to slowly clear, revealing Clover on one knee. We watched him and anticipated any movements that could come from him. Clover slowly stood up, his eyes glowing a gentle blue color. He looked around and his anger was quelled.

[Quest Complete: Bandit of the Grove.]

[Rewards: 25,000 EXP, Silver Skill Scroll, Star Rating +6000, Credi +25,000]

"Is he calm now..?" Hime asked, still weary of Clover despite his calm demeanor.

"It looks like it," Boreas said, still holding his guard up.

Clover looked at each of us then stared at me. He pointed at me, a green orb of energy floating toward me. I watched the orb float toward me then grunted as it entered my body, green sparkles emitting from my chest.

[You can now use Esoteric Plant Technique: Tree of Rebirth!]

I looked at the interface that appeared in front of me then turned my gaze back to Clover who was walking off into the forest. I let out a soft sigh, relieved the battle was now over. "I was hoping this mission could've been a simple one on my first day discharged, but we fought a boss we weren't even supposed to defeat."

"I'm just glad this is over! What is up with these Groves?! First those icky spiders and now this?! This Area could've stayed locked in my opinion!" Hime huffed, holding her arms.

We chuckled at Hime's complaint, each of us giving each other a relieved smile. With the battle won, we took a moment to catch our breath and assess our injuries. Though weary, our spirits were high. We had faced a formidable foe and emerged victorious, our bonds as a team stronger than ever.