I was back adventuring by the next day. Exploring the deep forest would be our objective from now on. I can't even imagine how much stronger the creature deep within would be. I wiped the drool from my mouth.
"Delicious bar fillings"
Cyclops though wasn't having it. Just by looking at our situation, they could tell we were heading back to that dangerous area. Cyclops brushed their tail across my face.
"Don't worry, we'll meet stronger opponents and you'll be stronger soon"
Absorbing the Bark dove yesterday left the bar almost full.
We took a more peaceful route today. Ignoring all companions in our wake, until we made it to the edge of the dense forest. There was no going back.
I took a step in and everything got darker. The numerous trees form canopies that block the sunlight. The sudden increase in oxygen sent a chill down my spine. A normal person would go back, for what reason do I feel the need to explore a dangerous area? It never did cross my mind.
"Let's continue"
Traversing the dense forest was a bit difficult. Had to be careful where I stepped but after a while, I got used to it. For this reason, my companions had to take a ride on me. Cyclops already had their spot but Sizzle found a relaxing area dangling from my neck like a scarf.
The deeper we went the darker it became but it wasn't too bad yet I could still see what was in front of me. I just moved forward without any exact aim. Just walking until I found something.
At some point, we heard deep breathing. A peaceful intake of air that could only mean one was in deep slumber.
(This is my chance)
I thought. It would be the easiest target we'll probably ever see.
I traversed slowly but I couldn't halt the sound of snapping twigs and dry leaves proving I'll never make it as a ninja.
The exhale got louder and louder. There lay a creature resembling a large cat, like a jaguar or leopard. It's the largest I've seen to date. It was sleeping soundly on the floor by a tree. It had brownish the same pigment as the ground. Pretty hard to tell the creature apart from an elevated mold. I thought it had fur but now I think differently, I got closer for a better look.
I was wrong, the closer I got the more bizarre the creature. Not only a tad larger than I thought but also wasn't sleeping next to a tiny tree, it was the tree. The branches and leaves protrude from the back.
The leaves on its back shimmered a healthy green glow. That's when I glimpsed the reason I could perceive its silhouette in such a dark forest m, there was a ray of sunlight piercing through the forest canopies. I was finally within the lethal range of snout ember
I noticed a weakness while fending off the Bark doves, creatures with a plant-like appearance were weak to flames.
"Sizzle Snout Ember"
Sizzle kicked off my neck to the ground
(Ouch claws)
We shared a gaze before they attacked
(what was that?)
As the snout ember hit the creature, It awoke from its respite and hastily backed off to a safe distance. There was an obvious scorch mark where the snout ember hit. The creature surveyed the area and as it gazed at us I could tell, from its widened eyes and unstable pupils, I spooked it badly.
This creature hasn't done anything to me, why didn't I think twice before attacking?
The fear only lasted for a moment, rage came next. It planted its paws firmly on the ground and ripped its underbelly from the soil exposing six tentacles. I could guess what they were, they weren't tentacles but roots, oddly sentient roots. The creature was photosynthesizing hence the need for sunlight and the lush pigmentation of leaves.
The creature roared as the roots wiggled frantically. Sizzle's head butt came from behind slightly knocking me off balance, I took a step to catch myself from falling, another for balance, then another, and before I knew it, it was a full-blown run. I had to get out of there. I ran as fast as I could, setting some distance between the creature and me while it roared from rage.
With the newfound encouragement, I was traversing the forest in record time. I was taking huge leaps and making good time, that's what I thought. Soon the sounds died down and in its place were huge tremors. The ground shook with each tremor the trees would sway, and leaves and branches would fall. With my heightened senses I could tell, each tremor was getting louder and louder. Soon enough my legs would visibly shake from the vibration, I could hear the crashes of falling trees, whatever was striking them was getting closer.
Boom
BOom
BOOm
BOOM
...
IT CAUGHT UP.
"Shit!!"
I wiggled out from between two trees finally getting out of the denser part of the forest.
"Cyclops toss Sizzle forward"
"Sizzle Snout ember on the creature"
Cyclops grabbed Sizzle and tossed them forward. Sizzle maneuvered the air with its ear and emptied its snout ember slots on the target. I couldn't check the attack hit, I just have to trust Sizzle's aim. The tremors stopped for a positive while but it was back on our tail shortly after.
The chase was brutal but with the help of Cyclops, I could barely escape the creature's grasp. Cyclops would occasionally grab a tree and forcefully change our course, while the creature gears off course we put a bit of distance from it. The only reason my hand hasn't snapped off is because of my enhanced physique but I'm starting to feel it. This wasn't a solution, my hand would snap way before the creature gets tired.
What to do?
I spotted a Buzzhole.
"Cyclops"
Cyclops grabbed a nearby tree and we changed course toward the Buzzhole. My hand started to tremble.
"Cyclops"
Cyclops scurried onto my palm as I tossed them at the Buzzhole as hard as I could. I could hear a slight rupture in my arm. I wonder how much of this it could take.
"Tail smite"
Cyclops smashed the Buzzhole into the ground revealing a wisp.
"Absorb it sizzle"
Sizzle got there in an instant, absorbed the wisp, got tossed into the air again by Cyclops, and emptied its ammo on the creature. I picked up Cyclops on the way. We used this strategy continuously and I could tell it was effective, each hit was accompanied by lighter steps. We were wearing it down, just a few more hits from snout ember. We just need one more recharge and I just spotted another Buzzhole, we can survive this.
"Cyclops!"
Cyclops grabbed a nearby tree, just a bit more.
CRACK
"Fuck!"
My bone snapped from the pressure tearing my arm from the elbow. Cyclops flew off with my forearm and I crashed into the ground tumbling like a ragdoll. My body was spread awkwardly.
The creature saw this and put the brakes on. It finally caught up with me, and without any hesitation it attacked.
I released the creature I was smuggling
"Sizzle Widespread"
Sizzle jumped from my hand and into the air, at the same height as the creature, and used its AOE attack. It covered the creature's entire body. It immediately ignited and all scotch marks went up in flames at the same time.
The creature barely missed my mangled body on landing. I watched as it contorted and screeched in pain, rolling on the ground to snuff out the flames. I silently watched it all unfold, my body could feel the heat even from such a distance.
The creature slowly stopped moving and finally turned into a wisp ending its suffering. The light died down revealing 3 wisps, and I could hear a distant cry.
Shit, I'm losing consciousness.
…I could hear knocking
KNOCK KNOCK
And then the creature's cry.
I tried to open my eyes and saw, Helper bird, my arm, and a small creature before forfeiting consciousness.