Bloom

“Be careful, the guns are dangerous. I’m not sure if they might have traps either. The person fighting back against us is smart. Probably a genius of some type, most certainly someone with a high level of functioning madness. I’m focusing on defense right now in case we need to retreat.” Tree whispered into Dryads ears as she walked forward. “It will take me awhile to hack into the AI they are using, because I have no idea what I’m doing and can only brute force my way in with my mind.”

While the other three had been given easier sections of the building to conquer, Dryad had specifically requested the strongest resistance.

She’d been training her Dao of Blood, and Life, in order to prepare for the higher levels of Divine enemies that they were sure to eventually meet. However, without actual enemies to fight, it was difficult to judge her current strength.

While the enemies that Tree had found so far were dangerous, they were more at a level she could handle. Guns were pretty much the same as magical crossbows, and while they were dangerous, she wasn’t too worried.

As her beloved Tree continued to natter in whispers at her while she walked, Dryad started to release her first weapon. In such an enclosed area of space, it would be impossible to grow an effective forest.

Moss however.

Moss wouldn’t be a problem.

Slowly as Dryad continued to walk, a strange creeping carpet of blood red moss started to grow out from her footsteps. Within seconds she was walking through an ever growing amount of moss. Within a few minutes the floor, walls, and ceiling of the corridor was covered in carnivorous deep red-tinted moss.

As the moss carpet flowed along with her, it appeared as if she was walking in a tunnel of blood. Small seeds fell from her palms causing the moss to start being dotted with small red flowers, and red spotted black mushrooms. Each of these were lethal weapons, the red cap mushrooms shooting out spores constantly into the air, while the flowers emitted a beguiling scent that would crush unwary minds.

The first guards Dryad encountered were crushed with almost zero time. However, the second set of guards had already adapted and used flamethrower type weapons to hold her back. They also had improved air filtration masks on their helmets that prevented the spores or scents from reaching full effect.

Watching the flames harm her current weapon, Dryad grimaced before she used a single nail to open a small cut on her opposite hand.

Blood dripped down onto the moss carpet beneath her, causing growth to explode forth. The new variety of moss was able to resist the higher levels of heat, and quickly overran the guards. As they were devoured while screaming, the lifeforce flowed back through the moss beneath her feet empowering her further.

Slowly as she moved through the rooms and corridors, the amount of guards seemed to decrease.

“Tree?” Dryad said, letting power carry her words.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” Tree said, his whisper slightly distracted.

“There’s less defenders.” Dryad said, looking at the current amount of bodies that she’d just finished off being drained.

“Ah, one second. These defensive programs are rather fun.” Tree said as she felt his energy senses flow past her. “They’ve gathered up an enormous amount of forces with a very effective structure and several weapons that look dangerous in a large area ahead. It looks like loading dock or something of that nature.”

Dryad narrowed her eyes and started to spend the lifeforce she’d accumulated so far.

Armor covered her form, giving her a faceless demonic appearance. Her weapon evolved with her, and both took on the deepest color of the abyss. She fed the mushrooms and flowers back into the moss. Slowly, like liquid tar, the moss carpet started to engulf her.

One of the projects Tree had her master was a type of combat armor that was more than just defense. He called it a ‘Biological Mech’ and was quite thrilled when she managed to understand the concept.

Layer upon layer of moss covered Dryad’s form, giving her the appearance of a creature from the depths.

Between each layer of moss, a thin sheath of blood pulsed as Dryad melded herself completely into the new weapon’s form.

Stepping forward, a hideous creature moved towards the last pocket of resistance that had yet to be crushed.

She could sense that the enemy was throwing everything on an all-or-nothing dice roll. Dryad was happy, it had been a long time since she was able to go all out without worrying.

Tree wouldn’t admonish her for making a mess this time, since he was busy elsewhere.

As the final corridor opened up, Dryad could see the forces arrayed against her.

Large barreled machine turret guns were on enormous tripods, countless forces were gathered behind various protective barricades, and a sea of guns pointed at her.

From within her ‘Mech’ she looked at the forces arrayed across her, and slowly, Dryad began to smile a terrible crimson grin.