"am I the only one or are you guys also feeling this?" Sam asked.
"Wait like we're being watched?" Steven replied turning to Sam.
"Yea, exactly," Sam answered, turning around his eyes scanning the forest
"Can you guys keep it down please!" Lucas said in a hushed tune. "Watch your step..." Before Lucas could finish his statement, a vine shot out from a tree beside Sam, pulled him and threw him into the air.
"Argh!" Sam screamed as he flied across the forest.
"Wait, what! Don't tell me there are more traps in this forest? I'm beginning to think this place is hunted," Steven said as he turned his back against Lucas his eyes scanning every of the forest trees and his instincts kicking in.
"Uhh, Lucas I think something's not right," Steven said still scanning the forest while he walked backwards slowly.
"Quick! We have to get Sam, before he become a meal to carnivorous plants," Lucas said.
"Yeah, that's right, we'll have to hurry" Steven replied.
They both dashed towards the direction Sam was thrown, in some seconds they had located Sam.
"Hahaha! You must be enjoying yourself," Steven said laughing, looking up at Sam who was tied upside down by vine from his mouth to his feet.
"That's not funny. Quick cut him down," Lucas said.
Steven brought out his knife, and began to cut down the vines that tied Sam, after a while he was done.
"Thanks" Sam Said, dusting his body. "you're welcome" Steven replied.
"Uhh, Lucas when are we meeting this Groot guy himself?" Sam asked as they continued their journey deeper into Groot's forest.
"I'm not sure but, we have to keep going, we'll keep on going till we get to where I sense more alpha energy. I believe he'll be there so we can talk about what we're here for," Lucas replied.
"So you really think this guy is just going to hand over his alpha energy to you, when you've never met before. Here's an advice get ready for a fight," Steven advice, swinging his fist.
"I know we'll have to fight to get it, so I was always prepared, that's no big deal," Lucas said.
"or you'll just strike a deal," Sam said raising his index finger as if giving an advice.
"it's not that easy Sam," Lucas said, "and it's qli depends on the kind of person Groot is."
"You know it doesn't really matter if we get into a fight with groot or not. What really matters is that we leave here with the alpha energy we came for," Steven said.
"Exactly. You know what Steven, I never really thought you had so much wisdom up there," Lucas said pointing at Stevens head.
"I thought the Same Lucas," Sam said as he chuckled.
"That's enough! Hey it's not funny!" Steven said gripping Sam's shirt and pulling him closer to himself.
"Easy, easy, It was just a joke," Sam said.
"Yeah, I know but I don't like jokes," Steven said.
"Ok, guys I think we're here," Lucas said. "The energy is much here," Lucas continued "I think we're going to meet Groot here once I start absorbing the energy."
They were now in an open space, surrounded by enormous trees in form of a circle.
Steven stood still his eyes scanning the tree line for any signs of movement, his knife still in hand. Sam kept close to Lucas, looking around nervously.
Lucas took a deep breath, extending his hands towards the center of the clearing. A faint glow began to emanate from his palms as he started to absorb the alpha energy from the surroundings. The air grew thick with tension, and the forest seemed to hold its breath.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The trees around them rustled violently, and from the shadows emerged Groot, towering above them with a formidable presence. His wooden body was intertwined with thick vines, his bark-like skin rough and ancient. His red, piercing eyes glowed menacingly, fixed on Lucas with a burning intensity.
Steven and Sam instinctively took a step back, their fear palpable. Groot's expression was a mixture of anger and disdain. "You dare intrude in my domain and steal my energy?" he bellowed, his voice deep and resonant like the echo of a forest.
Lucas maintained his composure. "We don't want to fight. We came here because we need your help. Marl told us about you."
At the mention of Marl, Groot's expression softened slightly but only for a moment. "Marl, you say? It matters not. You are trespassers and thieves."
Before Lucas could respond, Groot's men, creatures similar to him but smaller and equally fierce, stepped forward, ready to attack. "Defend yourselves!" Groot commanded.
Steven and Sam braced for the assault. Vines and branches whipped through the air as Groot's men advanced. Lucas tried to reason with Groot, shouting, "We only want to talk! We can work together!"
But Groot was beyond listening. The battle erupted, with Steven slashing through the vines with his knife and Sam dodging the attacks, trying to stay close to Lucas. Despite their efforts, they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of Groot's men.
"Lucas, do something! Damn they're fast, the vine won't let me use my speed their too sensitive!" Steven yelled, struggling to fend off the relentless vines.
Lucas focused his energy, creating a shield around them. "We don't want to harm you!" he shouted, hoping to reach Groot's rational side. "We need the alpha energy to save our world!"
Groot hesitated, his red eyes narrowing. The intensity of the attack lessened slightly as he seemed to consider Lucas's words. "Save your world? How?"
"We are on a mission to stop a great evil. The alpha energy is our only hope," Lucas explained, his voice earnest and pleading. "We didn't come here to take it by force. We need your help."
Groot's hesitation was brief. His eyes flared with renewed anger. "Lies!" he roared. "You will not deceive me with your tales."
Before Lucas could react, Groot and his men launched a renewed assault. Vines shot out from the ground and trees, wrapping around Steven and Sam, pulling them apart. Steven struggled to cut through the vines with his knife, but they kept coming, relentless and strong.
"Lucas, do something!" Steven shouted, his voice strained as he fought to free himself.
Lucas concentrated, trying to maintain his shield, but the onslaught was too powerful. Groot himself stepped forward, his massive form towering over Lucas. With a swift motion, Groot swung his arm, a thick vine smashing into Lucas and breaking his telekinetic shield.
Sam screamed as he was lifted off the ground, the vines squeezing tighter. "Lucas! Help!"
Desperation filled Lucas's eyes as he looked around, searching for any way to turn the tide. Groot raised his arm again, preparing for another devastating blow. "You should never have come here," Groot growled, his voice filled with wrath.
The forest seemed to close in on them, the darkness growing thicker as Groot's men pressed their attack. Lucas felt his strength waning, the alpha energy slipping from his grasp. He knew they were outmatched and outnumbered.
Just as Groot's attack was about to land, Lucas shouted, "Wait! Now let's get to it! Let's show you our true strength!"
But Groot was beyond listening.Groot's arm descending, the vine aimed directly at Lucas's heart, as the forest echoed with the sounds of battle and the cries of the intruders, leaving their fate hanging in the balance.
.