The defeated Grayon, now brought back to life, circled around Viru, hinting him to follow. The group followed the grayon as it led them to a large Banyan tree. The whole atmosphere was dark and gloomy with a thick scent of the wet forest. The scene that unfolded after the Grayon led Viru, Pyra, and Luro to the banyan tree was both unexpected and heartwarming. The formidable creature they had just battled and subdued was not leading them into another confrontation, but for some other reason.
As the Grayon swiftly ascended the large banyan tree, disappearing into the dense foliage, the group waited with curiosity. Moments later, it reappeared, gently carrying two young Grayon pups in its mouth. The sight was a striking contrast to the ferocity they had witnessed during the battle. The Grayon carefully placed the pups on the ground and then, without hesitation, climbed back up the tree, returning with two more.
The young Grayons were an adorable sight. Their innocence and vulnerability evoked a sense of empathy and affection from the group. Luro, in particular, seemed to feel a strong connection to them, as the pups snuggled around his legs. Viru, too, was captivated by their charm; he picked up one of the pups, cradling it in his arms, overwhelmed by a sense of gladness that he had chosen not to kill their mother.
The realization that these young creatures were dependent on the Grayon they had just fought put things into perspective for Viru. It was a poignant reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of life in Revara. Despite their predatory nature, these creatures had a familial bond and a need for care and protection.
The atmosphere shifted from one of tension and alertness to a more relaxed and playful mood. The group took turns gently interacting with the young Grayons, a moment of innocence and peace amidst the usual dangers and challenges of the forest.
Viru's thoughtful approach to creating a nurturing environment for the young Grayons was evident in his decision to gather specimens from their natural habitat. He carefully collected samples of the banyan tree under which the Grayon family resided, along with various plants in the vicinity. To replicate the ecosystem accurately, Viru also gathered small insects essential for maintaining ecological balance, such as beetles, spiders, and pollinators like bees and butterflies. These insects played vital roles in pollination, decomposition, and as a food source within the food chain.
This empathetic and considerate action by Viru demonstrated his commitment to not just acquiring powerful creatures for his dungeon, but also ensuring their well-being and comfort in their new environment.
Despite his desire to continue hunting for high-level monsters, Viru faced a dilemma with the Grayon pups. It was neither safe nor practical to take them along on a potentially dangerous hunt. Luro, showcasing his strategic thinking, proposed a solution. He suggested leaving the pups in the safety of their treetop home, guarded by two of his undead creations – a dire wolf and a bear that they had encountered earlier.
Luro's plan offered a balance between ensuring the safety of the young Grayons and allowing Viru to continue his quest for more powerful creatures. The undead dire wolf and bear would serve as capable guardians for the pups, protecting them from any threats while the group was away.
Viru agreed to this plan, reassured that the young Grayons would be safe and well-guarded in their natural habitat. As the sun was already out, they decided to make camp under the tree to spend the night.
The decision to spend the night near the banyan tree, under the watchful eyes of the mother Grayon and Luro's newly acquired undead guardians, proved to be wise. The disturbances caused by roaming monsters during the night were handled efficiently by the group, with Luro bolstering his undead ranks and the team encountering the formidable cassowary – a wild, walking bird known for its strength and aggressiveness.
After a night of vigilant rotation for guard duty, the group woke to a new day, refreshed and ready to resume their hunt. Led by the mother Grayon, they ventured deeper into the heart of the forest. The journey took them through dense, richly biodiverse areas, further away from their familiar territories.
About half an hour later, they reached a location that felt like the center of the forest, a place teeming with the essence of untamed nature. It was here they encountered the Forest Walker, a colossal tree-like creature that Albus quickly identified.
The Forest Walker was an awe-inspiring sight. Its massive tree trunk for a torso and limbs resembling large branches gave it an appearance of a sentient, walking tree. Despite its lack of agility, the Forest Walker commanded formidable powers over nature, with the ability to summon and manipulate vines for offensive and defensive purposes. Its black eyes, filled with the wisdom of age, observed the group calmly, yet there was an underlying sense of power that hinted at its potential for destruction if provoked.
Albus briefed Viru about the Forest Walker's capabilities. The creature's control over nature and vines made it a deadly opponent. However, Viru and Pyra's ability to use fire gave them an advantage, as forest creatures were generally vulnerable to fire. But this advantage was somewhat mitigated by the Forest Walker's water attribute abilities, which could be used to counteract fire attacks.
Despite these challenges, the group's numbers and diverse abilities gave them a strategic edge. Viru, Pyra, and Luro prepared to engage with the Forest Walker, devising a plan that leveraged their strengths while being mindful of the creature's capabilities.
Luro initiated the attack, commanding his undead minions to swarm the Forest Walker. Though many of them were quickly dispatched by the creature's powerful vine strikes, this initial assault served its purpose by angering and distracting the Forest Walker.
Pyra seized the opportunity, unleashing torrents of intense flame upon the creature. Her fiery assault proved effective, drawing the Forest Walker's attention and ire. With its focus shifted to Pyra, the creature launched a series of attacks with its vines. Pyra, utilizing her agility and combat skills, skillfully dodged the onslaught, maintaining her fiery barrage.
Luro, meanwhile, supported Pyra's efforts by casting dark magic blades, slicing through the Forest Walker's vines and inflicting considerable damage to its woody form. His strategic strikes provided crucial openings for the others to exploit.
Viru, accompanied by the mother Grayon, moved strategically to the Forest Walker's blind side. They launched a coordinated attack, exploiting the distractions provided by Pyra and Luro. The battle was intense and demanding, with each member of Viru's team sustaining injuries. The Forest Walker, powerful and relentless, proved to be a formidable adversary, superior in strength to any one of Viru's subordinates in a one-on-one confrontation.
Despite the mounting injuries and exhaustion, Viru's group persisted, their combined efforts gradually wearing down the massive creature. Pyra's flames, Luro's dark blades, and the physical attacks from Viru and the Grayon slowly but surely took their toll on the Forest Walker.
After a fierce and grueling battle, the mighty Forest Walker finally succumbed to its injuries and collapsed, its colossal figure charred and battered. The group, though weary and wounded, stood victorious.