Volume 2: Shards of Unity
Chapter 15: Thorns of the Wild
The Verdant Labyrinth was no ordinary jungle—it was alive, shifting as though it had a will of its own. The twisted roots seemed to rise and fall with their footsteps, leaves rustled without a breeze, and whispers echoed just out of reach. Every step felt heavier than the last, like the jungle was testing them as much as the Wildbloods were.
"This place isn't just creepy—it hates us," Kael muttered, batting away a vine that seemed to curl toward him like a serpent.
Nyx growled low in agreement, its sleek black form blending with the shadows. Even the nightmare creature seemed unnerved, its golden eyes scanning the dense canopy above.
"The jungle reflects the will of the Wildbloods," Solas explained. "If they think we're unworthy, this place will tear us apart before we even reach their stronghold."
Eryth wiped sweat from their brow, their grip tightening on the glowing shard at their side. "Then we need to convince them quickly. We're running out of time."
A Deadly Ambush
The group pressed on, following a narrow trail that seemed to shift beneath their feet. Just as the dense foliage began to thin, Nyx stopped abruptly, its ears flat against its skull.
"Something's wrong," Eryth said, sensing the tension in the air.
Before anyone could respond, the jungle exploded into chaos.
From the shadows, figures cloaked in leafy camouflage leaped into view, their weapons drawn. They moved with inhuman speed, their eyes glowing faintly like predators in the night.
"Wildbloods," Solas hissed, drawing their blade.
One of the attackers raised a hand, and the jungle itself seemed to respond. Roots shot up from the ground, ensnaring Kael's legs before he could react.
"Get off me!" Kael shouted, flames erupting from his hands. The roots recoiled but didn't release their grip entirely.
Eryth swung the shard in an arc, its golden light slicing through the air. The roots around Kael disintegrated, but more attackers closed in, their movements unnervingly silent.
Nyx lunged at one of them, its claws raking across their armor. The Wildblood stumbled back, but another darted in, striking at Nyx with a spear. The nightmare creature twisted away, growling fiercely.
"We're not enemies!" Eryth shouted, parrying a strike from a curved blade. "We're here to form an alliance!"
Their words went unheard—or ignored. The Wildbloods pressed their attack, their strikes precise and relentless.
The Jungle's Wrath
The jungle itself seemed to fight alongside the Wildbloods. Vines lashed out like whips, thorns grew in an instant to block their path, and the very ground shifted beneath their feet, throwing them off balance.
Solas fought with grim determination, their blade a blur as they deflected strikes and cut through the living obstacles. "They're testing us," they shouted over the din. "If we fall here, they won't bother hearing us out!"
Kael growled, flames surging around him in a protective barrier. "We won't last long like this!"
Eryth knew they had to end this quickly. Raising the shard, they channeled its energy, the golden light flaring brighter than ever. "Enough!"
The light burst outward in a shockwave, forcing the Wildbloods and the jungle itself to pause.
Face to Face
The leader of the Wildbloods stepped forward, his painted skin glowing faintly in the shard's light. His sharp eyes narrowed as he studied Eryth.
"You fight well," he said, his voice calm but cold. "But strength alone is not enough. Why should we trust you?"
Eryth lowered the shard slightly, their breathing heavy. "Because the Sovereign is coming for all of us. If we don't stand together, they'll destroy everything—including this jungle."
The leader tilted his head. "And yet, you bring a nightmare creature into our domain, wield power you barely understand, and speak of unity while threatening our home. How do we know you won't bring ruin to us as well?"
Eryth hesitated, glancing at Nyx. The nightmare creature stared back, unflinching.
"I don't control Nyx," Eryth admitted. "But we fight together because we share the same goal—freedom from the Sovereign. That's all we want. To be free."
The leader's gaze lingered on Eryth for a long moment. Then he raised his hand. The jungle stilled, and the Wildbloods lowered their weapons.
"You speak of freedom," the leader said. "But freedom is not given—it is earned. If you wish to stand with us, you must prove yourself."
The Trial
The Wildbloods led them to a massive clearing at the heart of the jungle. At its center stood a towering tree, its gnarled roots forming a natural arena.
"The Trial of Thorns," the leader announced. "Pass this test, and you will have our trust. Fail, and you will leave—or die."
Eryth stepped forward, their heart pounding. "What's the trial?"
The leader gestured to the tree. "Survive its judgment."
Before Eryth could ask what that meant, the ground beneath them trembled. The tree's roots came alive, twisting and writhing as they formed a massive beast—a creature of bark and thorns, with glowing green eyes that burned with primal fury.
Kael cursed under his breath. "This is insane."
"We don't have a choice," Eryth said, gripping the shard tightly. "Stay close and don't hold back."
A Fight for Trust
The beast roared, its voice like a thousand trees creaking in unison. It struck first, its massive limbs sweeping across the arena with devastating force.
Eryth dodged to the side, the shard's light flaring as they slashed at the creature's roots. The blade cut deep, but the wound sealed almost instantly, the tree regenerating faster than they could attack.
Nyx darted in, its claws raking across the beast's wooden hide. It howled in pain, but the creature retaliated, sending a cluster of thorny vines shooting toward Nyx.
Kael raised his hands, fire erupting in a blazing arc that burned the vines away. "We need to find its core!" he shouted.
Eryth nodded, scanning the creature for any sign of weakness. Their eyes landed on a faint glow deep within its chest—a pulsing green light.
"There!" Eryth pointed. "That's its heart!"
The team launched a coordinated assault, Nyx distracting the creature while Kael and Solas covered Eryth. The shard's power surged as Eryth leaped onto the creature's back, cutting through its thorny armor with every swing.
The beast roared, thrashing wildly, but Eryth didn't stop. With one final strike, they drove the shard into its core. The light exploded outward, and the creature crumbled, its remains scattering across the arena.
Earning Their Place
The clearing fell silent as the Wildbloods stepped forward, their expressions a mix of awe and respect.
The leader nodded, a faint smile playing at his lips. "You have proven yourself worthy. The Wildbloods will stand with you against the Sovereign."
Eryth sheathed the shard, their hands trembling. "Thank you. We won't let you down."
The leader's expression turned serious. "See that you don't. The Sovereign is relentless—and their forces are already moving toward this jungle. You'll need all the strength you can muster."
Eryth's resolve hardened. The alliances were forming, but the war was only just beginning.