Sumit steadied his breathing as he faced the towering dark tree. Its twisted, bark-covered frame was now mobile, its roots writhing violently through the earth with alarming speed, and thick, thorny vines slithering like snakes around it. His fingers curled tighter around his damaged staff as he assessed the situation. His aura reserves had dwindled to 10%—barely enough to survive what lay ahead.
"Damn it."
Every inch of his body ached, muscles fatigued, and aura stretched thin, but he couldn't afford to stop now. The ground trembled with each creak of the monstrous tree's movement as it uprooted itself to pursue him. Thick vines hung from its branches like the tentacles of a malevolent creature, each tipped with thorns that glistened like obsidian under the dim forest light.
He shifted his weight, gripping his staff tightly, knowing it was only a matter of time before the tree struck. Just hold on a little longer, he thought, determination flickering in his eyes despite his exhaustion.
The tree groaned low and menacingly. Its roots shot forward in a sudden attack, lashing out like a whip. Sumit barely had time to dodge, diving sideways and rolling across the ground. As he sprang up, he swung his staff, aiming for the nearest root—but the impact barely jarred his arm, and the staff bounced back with no effect on the thick bark.
"If I only had a little more aura left..."
He leaped to his feet, darting backward as the tree swung another root at him, its speed defying its massive size. Forced into a series of quick, frantic dodges, each movement drained his remaining aura reserves. His heart raced, a mixture of adrenaline and dread, and frustration gnawed at him. I can't keep this up forever.
A vine wrapped around his ankle, yanking him off his feet. He twisted midair, hacking at the vine with the jagged edge of his staff. It took three strikes before the vine snapped, and he hit the ground hard, breath knocked out of him.
Desperate, he poured his last ounce of aura into his limbs, slashing the vine away just in time to roll clear of another incoming root. Struggling to his feet, blood trickling from minor scrapes, an idea sparked in his mind.
Maybe... I can do it too.
A desperate plan formed. He wasn't sure it would work, but with no other choice, he had to try. Taking a steadying breath, he raised one hand and placed it firmly against one of the tree's roots. He concentrated, feeling the immense aura surrounding him—an overpowering, suffocating force. Summoning all his will, he began to pull the aura from the tree into himself.
"Shit... bad idea."
The instant he did, a surge of dark energy rushed into his body like a tidal wave, nearly knocking him off his feet. The power was vast, wild, and untamed, and he staggered as his senses were overwhelmed by the force. The tree's aura was colder, darker than anything he'd ever felt, an ancient malevolence clinging to every strand of energy. For a moment, he thought he might lose himself, consumed by the torrent.
Too much... it's too much! His vision blurred, knees buckling as he struggled to contain the flood. Panic surged in him. If he didn't release the energy soon, it would destroy him. His body wasn't built to hold this much.
Then, through the haze of panic, an idea surfaced. If I can't hold it all... maybe I don't have to.
Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, he stretched out his other hand, pointing it toward the edge of the clearing where the petrified animals stood as statues.
It's time to return this.
With gritted teeth, he pushed, directing the energy through him. One hand absorbing, the other releasing, he funneled the dark aura outward in pulses toward the lifeless forms. As he did, the weight began to lift, his body slowly regaining its balance as the excess energy flowed out of him.
Gradually, the suffocating pressure eased. He dared a glance at his arms, seeing wounds close and cuts seal over as his body healed. The stolen aura was replenishing him, mending his injuries. The tree seemed to sense what was happening, its branches thrashing in fury as roots smashed down around him in a desperate attempt to sever the connection.
"What's wrong? Don't like your technique turned against you?"
Sumit grinned through the strain, dodging as he maintained the flow of aura. The tree's form weakened with every passing second. Its branches sagged, roots slowed, and the once-aggressive tendrils sank back into the earth in slow, halting motions.
Steadying himself, Sumit felt renewed strength coursing through his veins. The aura had revived him, and now that his reserves were full, he was no longer the cornered prey he had been moments ago.
With a final shudder, the tree groaned. Sumit severed the last connection, watching as its form withered. The branches drooped, and its bark turned brittle, dry as dust. But it wasn't dead—not quite. The once-menacing behemoth was a hollow shell of its former self.
Clenching his fist with newfound strength, Sumit gathered the last remnants of his aura. Channeling it into a powerful punch, he muttered, "Time to end this."
His fist struck the tree dead center, glowing with the last of his aura. The dark tree split in two with a mighty crack, dust and splintered bark flying through the air. The twisted form collapsed, its energy finally spent.
As the dust settled, Sumit stood, chest heaving. Silence returned to the forest.
He staggered back, his aura nearly drained once again. Collapsing against a nearby tree, he finally allowed himself a moment of rest. His eyes scanned the distant statues—he knew not all the animals would be restored. But a flicker of determination lit within him.
"I'll go to each of them. I'll bring them back," he murmured, catching his breath. "But let me rest first."
He closed his eyes, letting the moment of peace wash over him. The dark tree was no more, and his battle—exhausting, triumphant—had come to an end.