Bloom

A vast army of non-human monsters stood outside the glowing curtain of light that protected the human realms. Millions of creatures, from the smallest goblins to the monstrously large giants stood in perfect rows.

All faces were turned to the curtain of light that currently appeared as if it was suffering a rare disease. Spots of darkness flowed across the Barrier, as the entire structure flickered like a strobe light.

Within a comfortable tent centered in the massive army the generals met to discuss a disturbing report.

“Are we certain the human traitors can be trusted?” a hideous ogre general said. A map lay upon the table surrounded by all chairs, exactly like the Human lands were surrounded by their army.

Ripping apart a piece of bloody meat from a nearby servant’s platter the orc general across from him said, “It doesn’t matter if they are trustworthy or not. We should eliminate all chance of a variable that could stop us!”

Heads nodded around the table. The great Demon Lord had ordered victory at all costs. None at the table would dare to question His Majesty’s reasons.

“Even though the Barrier is close to falling, it still hasn’t yet.” a whisper spoke from the darkest chair in a corner. The drow general preferred to be invisible unless there was bloodshed, as a wizard he frequently was absent from meetings.

Goblin shamans, drow wizards, orc bloodchanters, giant adepts, and drake spellbreathers were all listed in the army as ‘Magic Corps’. However, each of the magic corps was separated by races, and each race thought themselves the best.

“Given enough sacrifices it would be possible to punch a brief hole through the Barrier.” the drow wizard stated, his fingers tapping on a weak point they had previously located in the Barrier.

“A strike team of elites. Do it.” an armored figure at the head of the table said, his voice grating like metal on metal.

The assembled generals sent messages to their units immediately.

It was time to ensure the Human lands fell, completely.

***

A group of elderly men and women approached the Barrier Oak. Each was accompanied by younger male or female counterparts. Elders, and their apprentices, each prepared to enact the Ritual of Void.

The older, to contribute their lifeforce, the younger to witness what they might one day be called to do themselves.

Hours were spent setting up the blood circle, preparing the runes, cutting the binding circle, and pouring the silver.

After almost a complete day of work, a gigantic runic Summoning Circle lay in front of the Oak. Each of the Elders took one of the eight compass points with a grim face.

Garvon turned to Travis behind him, “Make sure the Ritual isn’t interrupted. Now would be the perfect time for the enemy to strike. It could be paid human traitors, or even creatures able to make it through the weakening Barrier. Be alert!”

Travis nodded, before moving with his fellow apprentices to guard the bridge leading to the Oak. The entire length of the bridge glowed with runic inscriptions, and trigger-trap spells. Each apprentice specialized in one of the eight elements, Light, Dark, Fire, Ice, Earth, Wind, Metal, or Lightning. Their combined might was only beneath the Elders themselves.

Each of the Elders looked at their counterparts before taking a small dagger from underneath their robes. Almost at exactly the same time, each made a cut on their opposite arm.

As blood dripped onto the runes in the Summoning Circle, the entire assembly started lighting up like a monstrous machine.

In the center above the circle, a tiny ripple of the Void started to appear.

***

Within the Void, Dryad was searching for anything that could allow her to find a solid direction.

Without warning, a small pinprick of light appeared in the distance off to her left. Grasping the barely conscious Vex, she pulled on the remaining power of Life and Chaos to head towards it. At this point, Dryad didn’t even care, she just wanted to stop falling. Tree always made this look so easy…

***

“Get ready!” Garvon shouted, as he felt something take notice within the Void. A powerful presence burning with life moved towards the portal. He could feel the enormous pressure of the creature as it came closer, more powerful than even the Elder Guardians.

As a sharp cracking sound occurred, several things happened at once.

The south-east Elder of Metal turned to the direction of Fire and immediately shot a bolt of pure metal through his target’s head.

Back at the bridge, the apprentice of Metal managed to kill the apprentice of Fire at the same time.

Across the bridge, a small horde of monsters appeared at the entrance to the Oak’s cavern.

And finally, two figures dropped through the closing portal to land on exact center of the Summoning Circle.

Garvon barely managed to notice them though, as he was busy pulling on the element of Earth in order to defend the remaining Elders from Metal’s betrayal.

***

Dryad looked around at the lava around them and made a mental victory sign!

“Vex, stop playing dead!” Dryad said kicking her friends stomach with mild force.

Vex sprang up shouting, “Dammit! Next time give me more warning! Look! Didn’t we almost land in lava!”

“No.” Dryad said with a grin.

“Bad luck, next time I’m not going unless Tree is doing the portal.” Vex said, staring at the humans fighting around them, the monsters in the distance approaching, and the titanic tree nearby.

Dryad stared at the tree too, before flaring her Aura to move directly to it in a fraction of a second.

Touching her hand to the large tree, Dryad reached deep within to communicate.

A sense of joy overwhelmed her, as the tree recognized her for what she really was. Images were fed to her mind allowing her to grasp the situation at hand, and rapidly understand.

“I can’t save you.” Dryad said, shaking her head sadly. It would drain Tree too much to give this youngster aid. No matter how dire the situation, as a dryad she would always prioritize her own first.

Another request was made through the silent communication shared with the Oak.

Dryad paused, before saying, “Are you sure? Tree is…strange. I can promise to try, but…”

A sense of acceptance overtook her. It was enough, if even the opportunity was given.

Dryad nodded before covering her right hand in Aura and stabbing it deep into the Oak. Pulling out a small seed, she placed the seed within her hair, before turning away from the now dead tree.

As she turned around she saw six humans gaping at her, while a seventh was smiling ecstatically.

Moving back to Vex’s side, she said, “I have to take care of some issues in exchange for a promise. What are your plans?”

Vex shook her body allowing her dress to curve back into its predatory form. “I feel a small kin nearby, I’m going to grab one of those cute looking boys over there, and visit. Don’t die, I’d hate to have to cut my way out of this world on my own.”

In a flash, Vex grabbed Travis out of the group of apprentices and then flickered away. Her struggling prey was screaming how he had to go back and save his mentor. As she sped towards the Library, Vex said, “Calm down boy. There’s an Ancient Dryad preparing for war behind us.”

“Ancient Dryad?”

“Ah, you might not have them on this world. Well, simply put, she’s…invincible. Well, perhaps not, but I wouldn’t take any bets as long as she’s within a hundred miles of Tree. Those two…they aren’t normal by any means.” Vex said, entering the Library with her snack in tow.

Back at the Ritual of Void, Dryad was staring at all the groups staring back at her.

Turning away from them she kicked the Oak’s corpse into the lava lake.

From there, she planted Tree in its spot with a nod.

“Good. I can’t believe I was lucky enough to drop into a location so rich in Flame essence.” Dryad murmured to herself.

Without warning, the Metal Elder who had been ecstatic launched a sudden sneak attack towards Tree. His face was frightened, as if he thought Tree was another Oak come to create a Barrier.

Metal shards whistled at high speed towards Tree, before disintegrating inches away.

Turning towards the Elder of Metal, Dryad said, “Can’t leave insects alive, they’ll ruin the atmosphere.”