Aftermath

He woke up, his eyes were cloudy. He felt comfortable, his head was on a so soft pillow. Then he heard the birds chirping, the rustling leaved. He felt the Sun lightly warming his skin. He smelled honey, the forest and water. When his eyes got acclimated to the light, he saw the blazing Sun in the sky, the council members were around him. His head hurt from so much light. When he looked down, he saw roots being pierced in both sides of his ribs, and could see others leading to his head.

He panicked and made a sudden movement.

*Don't move Ezyze, calm down, you are safe.*

A gentle thought appeared in his mind. It was music to his ears.

"Br..a....mur..?"

*It is I Ezyze, we were worried, you know. Don't speak and communicate with your thought instead.

What.. happened?

Eve came here like a bird of prey, her mana reserves totally depleted. She was carrying you and asking us to heal you, saying that you were dying. As I am specialized in healing among the Ents, I started to heal you. Your hands and feet were black and you were otherwise purple, oozing green like slimy substance. It took a while to detoxify your organism, while healing you, but I succeeded!

How.. long.. was... I....out?

Not long. It has been 20 days. It would have been longer, but Arthur came the following days with 3 mana heart and asked if they could do anything or if he could fetch anything that would cure you. From the 3 hearts, I quickly understood that you foolish people killed a hydra! And hydra have one of the most potent poison of this land. It is a magic poison that causes the organs to pump mana, instead of blood. The body poisons itself and causes mana shock eventually. This disease is especially hard to cure because most symptoms are physique. The key to heal it is to shut down the mana heart, while detoxifying the body. A more rapid approach is to have the person regain control of its mana. It can only be done by someone else than the poisoned person. By regaining control over its mana, the patient no longer poison its own body, and can help in detoxifying its body by reabsorbing the mana that was flowing in the wrong places. If Arthur didn't help, I think that you would have been out for 6 months, maybe a year.

What.... happened?

The pure dragon heart. We had you absorb it. While us Ents are evolved creatures, the fundamentals of our magic are different from a dragon's. It is hard for us to wield an energy that 'controls' mana when our essence is to 'be' one with mana. Eve is a rativey unevolved monster with however a very strong control of mana. She helped you absorbing the mana heart. And we cured you.

Then... what... happened?

You always worry for others Ezyze. This time you were almost killed. Look how tired your mind is by how slowly you convey your thought..you must rest.*

Ezyze rested for a week. He saw Cleopatra buzzing happily around and hugging him. Another bee was flying around. She has an S rank Trait called flower artisan and an epic class called Bee florist. Eve was constantly next to him. She explained that by assimilating with the dragon heart, she gained absolute control over mana and could see the mana particles of the different elements that she wielded. Had an increase in intelligence and wisdom but nothing besides it was written in her status. She didn't gain any Passive or active skill.

Ezyze checked and the same thing happened to him. He gained +500 intelligence and +200 Wisdom. The tiny Purplish particles that he saw floating around were not his eyes tricking him from the poison, but spatial particles. He gained the hidden stat "poison resistance" that was high, after surviving the hydra's poison.

After a week, Arthur came to the Sanctuary. He cried heavily and alogized profusely for what happened and making him take unnecessary risks.

"Now, now Arthur. I am alive and well and gained lots of experience points. I can almost become a rank 3 magic caster! Now stop apologizing and explain to me what happened for the last 20 days.

When you left, we brought back the hydra's corpse to the camp. We processed the corpse of Rassan'Tep before it rotted and casted freezing magic on the organs to keep them fresh. We checked the nearby area and found 3 eggs deep in the pound. They were given to the Ents and we do not know how to have them break their shells. We had the 9 unevolved newborn goblins eat the 9 hearts and brain of the hydra. After a week, pregnant goblins gave birth to 67 goblins. 5 have special trait, a A rank mana affinity, a A rank born warrior and 3 C rank fighting sense. Lampa came back with 14 pure magic rank 1 Ents, 1 rank 1 gorilla, 13 rank 2 gorillas and 2 rank 3 gorillas. Because we were worried of the state of the flesh and organs, the rank 1 gorilla absorbed half the mana heart and a rank 1 Ent the other half. The A rank goblin with A mana affinity and the strongest of the goblin samurai absorbed another mana heart. Lampa told us that weakest rank creatures would have the most benefits from consuming high rank monsters. The A rank goblin ate half of the big, physical heart of Rassan'Tep while the 3 with the C rank fighting sense ate a third each. Gran and the Mandrill processed the scales and bones of the hydra.

What about the rest?

We have been fighting in the shadowlands and training. 20 goblins trained in archery, 30 trained in spearmanship and 12 in wielding daggers. The one that absorbed half of the mana heart, with the A rank mana affinity trained as a mage. The 4 that absorbed the heart trained in swordmanship. They all made stellar progress.

And the Unshakables and allies?

We have been fighting in the shadowlands, as I said. Lampa reached rank 5 and a legendary class. The remaining Aries became rank 4 and the hoplites are close to becoming rank 4 as well. The golden bees became rank 3 and many gorillas are close to being rank 5. We managed to kill the 2 shadow cats 3 times and have fought a rank 5 magic cat, a rank 5 dark cat, a rank 5 mountain cat and a rank 5 killer cat. We killed them once besides the mana cats.

What about Zephyr, Rea and the Ents?

The Ents grew stronger. The wood humans have splendid swordmanship called Ent swordmanship, and increased their levels. Zephyr and Rea reached rank 3. The gorillas brothers finally picked a class.

Splendid. As you can see, there are 15 tier 2 Ents and 10 tier 3 Ents. All of them of the Flower Ent race. This little bee here is a florist so I think that the council arranged for them to grow together. There is a mandrill blacksmith coming with us as well as 2 rank 4 Mandrill bodyguards. We will come back to the Eternal Mountains, discuss the future and see if we have our armors ready and then head toward the North West of the Blacksaber kingdom.

Why the Northwest?

Because it is the furthest from the capital and at the other side of the Emberwood forest. There, we will be able to establish ourselves as a mercenary troop. The council told me that the Blueaf kingdom is often waging wars against the Eternal Empire. We will join the war efforts, gain information on Blacksaber and the Empire and will try to distinguish ourselves.

Very well."

The trip to the mountain range was quick and uneventful. Ezyze started to play with his physical and magic skills. While his physical skills didn't have any change, the magic skills improved. Due to an increase of his magic stats, his output increased. Also, he could manipulate mana more freely and combine spells and multi cast more easily. If he felt that he had two minds to cast spells, it now felt that he had 5 of them. Also, manipulating the mana more freely didn't mean something outrageous like completely dissolving incoming spells. It meant that using gravity manipulation, he could now levitate and hover around. Also, when he casts a specific spell, it is easier for the mind to quickly after cast the same spell, as it just did the same arrangement of spatial Mana particles. Basically, he could cast the second spell quicker than the first if they are the same.

They arrived at the main camp, at the foot of the mountain, and picked the crafters and the Ents that were standing guard. They then went to the forward camp. When they entered the vicinity, they were greeted by Harma, who bowed deeply.

Ezyze didn't need words, he understood what she meant. He approached and hugged her. They both cried a bit.

When he saw the stronghold, Ezyze was shocked. Whole the previous stronghold was quite crude, 4 platforms linked by dangling bridges and quite ugly fortifications. Now, the stronghold had 4 levels. A beautiful mannor like building sat at the highest platform, which was fixed to all 4 trees. The levels below were all made of different platforms and intricate bridges liking them. These bridges were straight, were fixed to the platform above and were steady and couldn't move easily. The second level had various houses and even spaces for artisans to craft. The third level had other living quarters and various places to train, with dummies. The first level had only fortifications and barracks. Stairs were now carved in the trees, to allow for a smooth trip to the camp. Watchtower have been constructed on all sides of the camp, to be able to react quickly in case of enemy attacks. Last but not least, the fir trees which were around 20 meters have grown to 300 or 500 meters high, making the stronghold almost a flying fortress.

Ezyze was saluted by everyone and spoke to various people while Harma gathered every members.

Gran explained that he finished making the armor of the Aries, hoplites and the 11 samurai. He made weapons for all of them and every Unshakables members. He managed to make armor for the 4 Wood Ents but that was it. He however stated that the mandrill managed to create leather armors for the bulk of the troupes and even the arch goblins were equipped with leather armors from shadow cats. They were also given wands made of the wood of magic wood humans, which increased greatly their mana conductivity, increased their focus and facilitated casting spells.

Ezyze checked out the stronghold and was seriously impressed. The manor especially was a great place to have as it could host the strongest members, that were often referent. It was nice to be able to reach those making decisions as quickly and efficiently as possible. The palace could house huge assemblies for strategic purposes and even feasts. It became the place where most of them went to eat and was bustling with life. Everyone that he met payed him respects and seemed genuinely glad to see him. It was heartwarming.

By the time that he finished looking at the camp, everyone was gathered. He was on the stairs, and could see everyone at the bottom of the camp.

It was a sight to behold.

71 Ents of various sizes were there. Precisely, there were 7 wood humans and 15 magic wood humans, 4 rank 4 Ents and 45 rents at rank 1 and 2.

4 mandrills were present, one blacksmith, one leather crafter and 2 rank 4.

The gorillas were 46. 2 rank 5, 14 rank 4 and 29 rank 2 and 3.

They also had a poisonous lightning hydrorilla, a legendary monster race. The previous rank 1 gorilla had S rank Trait called Atlas' strenght. He was sent to the forward camp to face hardship and foster his growth. While he was slightly buffer, yet similar to other rank 2 gorillas in shape, his fur has a vermilion color. While blood red lightning run through his hairs, his body has visible fiery red veins that flow with poison. 2 little horns sit atop his head. His jaw is sharp, and his teeth like fangs. His blood red eyes have a vertical slit for irises. He was the only gorilla with a tail, that seemed to be moving on his own and was coated with red poison.

The Langurs didn't change much physically, besides Lampa who had red cristals hovering around her, seemingly alive. She became a rank 5 and legendary Monkey warrior, sage of the battlefield and apparently specialized in Earth magic. There were 7 Langurs.

The 25 Aries didn't change much wither. Roland seemed to be a bit taller.

14 golden bees were flying around. While they didn't change much physically, Eve and Nebuch were pulsating with mana. They seemed to be leaking mana all around them.

The most impressive of all were the goblins. There were 118 of them.

The 20 hoplites, 10 high goblins, the golem hobgoblin, the 6 stalkers and 3 predators didn't change much physically.

The hoplites are now wearing heavy armor: knee high boots, skirts.made of metal that had leather pants below and metal torso armor that covered until the middle of their biceps. They had protections on their wrists. Their paldrons have goblins' head, with their big nose protruding. They have an helped, with 2 blue horns similar to the Aries'. Only their eyes and big nose could really be seen. The armors were otherwise black. Ezyze really likes the design of this armor and was positively surprised by Gran's work. They had huge gray shields and spears.

The rest were wearing black leather armor. The design however was nothing as impressive as these armors. The bows and daggers however looked beautiful, with intricate carvings and displayed amazing craftsmanship.

20 newborn were equipped with bows and brown leather armor.

30 newborns had short spears and similar leather armor.

12 newborns had daggers and wore leather armor.

4 newborns with among them one slightly taller, brimming with muscles, had swords.

1 was covered only with a cape.

The 11 samurai were wearing heavy armor, looking like the ones that samurai used to wear on Earth, a design that Ezyze insisted on. They were all around 1.8 meters tall. 2 of them had pitch black armor. Black smoke radiated from their armor. They had cat like faces and ears and a big nose, as well as yellow slit eyes.

The 9 others were something else. Their armors were similar, only blood red in color and dripping sizzling poison on the ground. Their skin became red and made of scales. Their blood red eyes were slit vertically and their mouths were filled with razor sharp fangs instead of teeth. They all had hornes on their forehead, from 1 to 9. The one with 1 horn has a 1.5 meters long scaled tail coming out of his behind which ended with a hydra's head. Their curved katanas were razor sharp and were made with essence of golems and could display magical powers. They were not ego swords but magic weapons.

Ezyze was shocked. They looked really good and seemed to be really powerful. The 2 black ones gained the S Trait weak presence and cat reflexes. The 9 hydra goblins gained the S Trait hydra regeneration and the S rank trait magic venomous warrior. The one with the tail had 1 additional S rank Trait called poison magic affinity. They all had amazing talent. Ezyze knew how strong the Ents goblins were, their S rank Trait playing a huge part in their strenght. Having 2 S rank Traits was a sure indication of their future abilities.

This unit would be dreaded on numerous battlefields.

"I am so glad to see all of you. I am so glad to come back to this camp, that we put our very lives on to keep. I am happy to be alive and happy to be with you.

He paused

When I look at you at us today, I see a family. I don't see makeshift alliances or relationships that work with interests. What I see today is a family. I am ready to lay my life for all of you, as I am sure that you would do the same for me. Today, I came back to a home. A place that we built and are now developing. A place where I am with family and I don't pretend to be anyone else. You know that we fought the hydra and that many of us became stronger. Today, I come back after nearly losing my life fighting an enemy. Nevertheless, we need to keep going. We need to keep strengthening ourselves. We need to be strong in order to survive and have a place to live. Today, the place that we live in is here. Tomorrow, it can be the whole forest or even the whole kingdom!

They cheered.

Know that we will have enemies and that we must hide our strenght still. When will be strong enough, we will then have the opportunity to say our mind and have people listen to us. We are starting the end of our various races slavery! In order to fulfill these ambitions, we have two objectives.

The goblins, Aries and myself will go West from here and establish a mercenary band. Our aim is to grow stronger, know more of this kingdom, establish ourselves and gain allies. I don't know how long it will take but for the next 3 weeks, we must prepare for our expedition. Meanwhile, I leave the Golden Bees in your care. Your objectives is to grow stronger and conquer this whole forest. When and only when you did so, can you go West and tackle on the rulers of this region: the forest trolls.

To us!

To us! they responded in unison "