Suddenly the world changed. Tepo was used to this sensation, but he was surprised as he eyed his best friend.
Yerive doesn't have any problems adapting. It seems he had to enter a few dungeons for the Lirane Group.
Low chatter spread among the group as everyone observed the dungeon. They found themselves standing on a hard soil. A moldy smell reached the warriors' noses, spreading from dead tress all around them.
Only a few strong leaves managed to cling to the impressively tall trunks. But many trees were entirely bald or even lying on the ground.
Two suns hung above everyone's heads. But their light was weak, barely spending any warmth.
Tepo frowned as he surveyed the environment.
Are all dungeons like this? Or am I cursed to always end up in such bleak environments? Hmm. But the last dungeon also had a thriving forest so maybe I'm just overthinking.
After giving everyone a second to adapt, the male soldier spoke up with his stern tone:
"Ok everyone. I remind you again: don't separate form the group! We will follow the path marked by those lamps you see here. Just be obedient.
If some beasts are blind enough to attack us, you can kill them. There are no strong beasts left in this dungeon. Don't walk below floating islands and, of course, don't have any designs on the quest!"
As if on cue a voice suddenly appeared in everyone's heads.
[Heal the mother tree!]
Tepo was surprised by this task. This sounded like something which might not be achievable without bringing help form outside.
Or maybe there is a potent healing spell in this dungeon? But if this is the case, the alliance surely has obtained it. What a frighteningly powerful organization…
The group began moving as Tepo reeled in his thoughts. Although the dungeon was supposed to be peaceful, the young man would never let down his guard.
But for the next few minutes the group just followed a prepared path lined with some lampposts. As they advanced through the forest, something gradually drew their gazes. Through the barren trees something could be seen hanging in the sky.
Everyone remember the soldier's words, knowing that this was a floating island. But to the group's surprise it was turned upside down, with lively plants growing on its surface.
A big waterfall originated from a strange, small lake which contained seemingly infinite water. It connected the floating island with the ground where the water vanished somewhere unknown.
But the soldier didn't give everyone a chance to observe the island from up close. True to his words he took a long way around it.
In this boring landscape there wasn't much to see, so many still tried to gaze at the island. Vaguely they could see some change happening.
A small dot suddenly ascended from the ground to the island. A few warriors with better sight could make out a beast floating through the air. But its flight wasn't controlled. It was pulled up by the island, suddenly crashing against it, its fate unknown.
As word spread among the group, many shivered, imagining their own fates if they were to walk below the floating island.
Only Lord Lendias word a confident smile.
"Tzz. What are you all afraid of? This dungeon can't even be considered of common difficulty! The little bit of danger left here is gravity? What a joke! Our team would solve the dungeon in five minutes!"
"Boss, you can't apply our standards to others. Those small warriors might've never seen a dungeon in their lives."
Tepo furrowed his brows looking at the tall, bow carrying team member of Lendias. Others were disgruntled as well but no one dared to speak up.
But suddenly the leading soldier let out a low hum.
"Aren't you too good at boasting?! This dungeon was of king difficulty before the alliance arrived. But we cleaned it up. You guys should thank us instead of spewing your bullsh*t here.
See those red trees upfront? Those are still stained in the blood of a Seven-Tailed Illusion Párou! Don't attack them!"
With the soldier's words even Seven Strikes kept quiet, although their faces didn't hold much reverence. But their eyes were strangely focused on the red forest upfront.
Tepo observed the trees as well. As the floating islands in the sky gradually got denser, the path had to take some detours. Thus, it led straight through the forest despite the potential danger.
But the alliance soldiers were confident. The illusion trees only counterattacked with the same strength as the attack that hit them. Thus, no one among their group could cause real trouble.
But maybe the soldiers underestimated the tricks of some people. Without any sign a short woman among the Team Seven Strikes suddenly activated an ability. An untraceable wave went through the groups, seemingly not changing anything for the moment.
The oblivious warriors continued. Tepo chatted with Yerive in low voices as the group entered the red forest.
A metallic smell of blood permeated the air. The eerie atmosphere unsettled the group. Crunching noises sounded from their every step. Even the light seemed to contain a red tinge.
Tepo frowned heavily as he had trouble focusing his mind. His eyes were unsettled, roaming left and right. Suddenly something appeared at the corner of his eyes.
A rustling sounded from behind a tree. Heads turned around, frightened looks in their eyes. A shadow dashed out. It flew through the air, aiming for the back of the group.
"Ahh!"
"Careful"
"Out of my way!"
Panicked shouts left the warriors' throats. While Lendias watched white a mocking smirk, the weaker warriors did their best to escape from the sudden attacker.
Tepo was close to the end as well. He felt an impulse to turn around and run.
What? What's going on? I don't feel much danger from this beast, but my mind wants me to run away.
Some other warriors struggled as well. But eventually their instincts gave in as they ran towards the soldiers promising security.
The alliance soldiers stared at the scene in confusion. They didn't understand why these warriors ran form such a weak beast. They were just about to reluctantly make a move when they noticed two young men standing their grounds.
Tepo was surprised as well. He looked to the side, some pride in his eyes as he noticed Yerive who remained next to him with shivering legs.
"Don't worry. It's just a Lémarut. It's no danger."
"Yes."
Yerive nodded bravely as his eyes focused on the beast dashing towards him. It was running on two legs, barely as high as Yerive's chest. A lanky body was covered in extremely thick fur as its red eyes radiated hunger.
Yerive took a deep breath before suddenly swinging the simple sword in his hand. He used his core's ability. A wave of water separated from his sword. It crashed into the beast's chest, letting it tumble back a few steps.
Bang!
Suddenly a gunshot could be heard. Tepo had aimed precisely. As the beast stopped for a moment from Yerive's attack, a bullet immediately pierced its brain, killing the beast on the spot.
Tension fell of the two young men. Tepo patted his friend's shoulder as he smiled lightly. Although he could've easily killed this beast alone, it was a great feeling to fight with a comrade by one's side. It was a feeling Tepo hadn't appreciated for a while after having seen too many friends fall in the army.
Yerive had a proud face. He was just about to open his mouth, when surprised screams echoed again.
"Ahh!"
Tepo shivered as he felt death looming over his shoulder. This time the screams were shorter. The warriors didn't have much time as an extremely fast silhouette shot towards the group.
An enormous pressure assaulted everyone's hearts. Knifes glinted under the red light. This was a human assassin! And he shot straight at the soldiers.
Even the mighty veterans were surprised. Their bodies reacted too slow. Their weapons were only now appearing in their hands, but the assassin was already about to close the distance.
"No, you don't!!"
Suddenly a deafening roar shook the surroundings. Lord Lendias reacted faster than anyone. A massive, oversized spear appeared in his hands. As he swung it down, the air shook and rumbled as if a mountain peak was toppling over.
The assassin was apparently surprised. Their instincts screamed danger. They rose their knifes despite the distance between them and the warrior.
But this showed their experience as suddenly large rose petals were created around Lendias' spear. Despite their frail and gorgeous appearance these petals were extremely deadly.
They shot through the air towards the assassin. Shortly before hitting their enemy, a faint, illusionary image of Lendias' spear formed on them, suddenly granting each petal the might of Lendias' attack.
"NO!"
A loud shout rang in the forest. But surprisingly it wasn't the assassin's, but the alliance soldier's.
The dark robed assassin had no time to open their mouth as multiple attacks hit their knifes. The ground shook, the air churned. The assassin did their best to defend but he couldn't hold on for long.
Suddenly a black shadow shot backwards. It crashed through multiple trees, leaving destruction in its wake. Many of the petals didn't hit their target. They shattered the ground, digging deep trenches, uprooting trees, destroying the red forest.