The wraithlings swarmed like shadows pulled from nightmares, their twisted forms shimmering with black energy. Hikaru's energy blasts ripped through the first wave, scattering their misty remains into the air, but more surged forward, undeterred by their fallen kin.
"I thought these things were supposed to be scary!" Hikaru shouted over his shoulder, his voice tinged with excitement. "They're basically walking punching bags."
Kaelith, darting into the fray with dagger strikes so swift they left streaks of green light in the air, snapped, "Don't get cocky! Their strength isn't in individual power; it's in their numbers!"
"Well, then they'll just have to find more friends," Hikaru retorted, leaping over a twisting root and driving his energy-coated fist into another wraithling.
Lira stayed further back, her staff glowing with protective energy as she cast barriers around Kaelith and herself. Her eyes darted toward Hikaru. "He's drawing too much attention to himself!"
Kaelith gritted her teeth, ducking under a clawed swipe before plunging both daggers into a wraithling's core, dissolving it into smoke. "Let him. If his bravado is real, we'll survive because of it. If it's not…"
"He'll survive either way!" Lira snapped, throwing a beam of light magic that vaporized three wraithlings at once. "That's the problem with him!"
Hikaru laughed as if he'd heard nothing, spinning in place and unleashing a radiant shockwave. "Reality Override: Midnight Sun!"
The wave consumed the remaining wraithlings in a blinding explosion of golden light, leaving behind only swirling motes of dark mist. Hikaru turned back to the women with a cocky grin. "And just like that, the shadows vanish when you turn on the lights. You're welcome."
Kaelith stepped forward, lowering her daggers but keeping her sharp gaze fixed on the pulsating core within the tree. "Impressive, but this isn't over."
"No thanks to you!" Lira snapped, walking up to Hikaru and poking him in the chest with her finger. "You can't just dive headfirst into danger every time. What if the next attack is something you can't shrug off?"
"Then I'll figure it out," Hikaru said, flashing his usual grin.
"That's not a plan!" Lira shot back, her voice cracking with frustration.
Hikaru's smirk softened slightly, and he placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Hey, Lira. I get it. You care. But I promise you, no matter what this world throws at us, I've got it under control. Okay?"
Lira's lips tightened as her cheeks colored faintly, but she said nothing, looking away.
Kaelith watched their exchange in silence, her expression unreadable, before turning back to the tree. "Enough. Whatever this corruption is, it's preparing another attack."
The air around them vibrated, growing heavy and thick as the pulsating energy within the tree surged. The mist that had faded began to gather again, condensing into denser shapes, more defined and dangerous.
"This isn't the end of it," Kaelith said, stepping closer to the tree. "It's regenerating faster than we can cut through its defenses. We need to strike at the core."
Hikaru clapped his hands together. "Finally, we're getting somewhere! Let me at it!"
"Wait," Kaelith said sharply. "If you charge recklessly, the corruption will react. It adapts, Hikaru. Whatever tricks you've been using won't work the same way twice."
"Adapt this," Hikaru muttered under his breath, but he stepped back, folding his arms. "Fine. You've been here longer. What's the plan, fearless leader?"
Kaelith sheathed her daggers and extended her hand toward the tree. Her green eyes began to glow brighter as runes ignited along her arms. "We distract it with simultaneous attacks. It can't adapt to all of us at once. When the core is vulnerable, Hikaru, you unleash everything you have."
Lira hesitated, but she nodded. "We can do that. Just don't let your guard down."
"Not a chance," Hikaru replied, his energy crackling to life around him.
Kaelith's magic surged outward, creating a burst of emerald light that lanced toward the tree's core. The roots reacted instantly, snapping out like serpents to intercept the energy. At the same time, Lira unleashed her own attack, summoning a barrage of glowing spears that rained down from above.
The tree convulsed, writhing under the assault as it struggled to counteract both attacks.
"Now, Hikaru!" Kaelith shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Hikaru raised both hands, his energy coalescing into a brilliant sphere above his head. "Reality Override: Worldbreaker!"
The sphere launched forward, growing larger as it hurtled toward the tree. The moment it made contact, the entire clearing erupted into a blinding explosion of light and raw power.
The noise was deafening, and the force of the blast sent all three of them tumbling backward. When the dust finally settled, the tree was gone, leaving only a massive crater in its place.
Hikaru stood up first, brushing dirt off his coat. "And that's how you handle evil trees. Somebody call a gardener."
Kaelith and Lira both stood shakily, their eyes on the crater.
Kaelith's expression was grim. "It's gone… for now. But that core wasn't destroyed. It retreated."
"Retreated where?" Lira asked, her voice unsteady.
Kaelith shook her head. "Deeper underground. This fight is far from over."
Hikaru stretched, cracking his neck. "Well, I'm game if it wants round two. But first, I think we've earned ourselves a little breather."
Lira gave him a tired look. "You say that like you're the one who needs rest."
Kaelith's gaze lingered on Hikaru for a moment longer before she turned away. "There's a sanctuary nearby. We can recover there before deciding our next move."
"Lead the way, Miss Warden," Hikaru said, falling into step behind her.
As they walked, the tension in the air began to ease, but the unease in Hikaru's gut remained. Whatever they'd just faced, it wasn't done with them yet—and something told him the next confrontation would be even worse.