84 Chapter 12 - The Raid (2/2)
”Right that way, we're nearly there!” She giggled, letting loose streams of green essence to slow and cripple the enemy, drawing forth more from the dead and dying.
Soon they arrived at a great tree bristling with beautiful white flowers, each pooling a handful of glistening silver water. The werewolves were confused, many muttering ”spirit tree” and 'blessed tree” in equal number.
”Destroy it, the orb is within. It is the source of their power, without it they cannot harm you any more!” Harriet cried, flinging green flame at a pair of Treant Guardians that arose from either side of the strange tree to start hurling baulders.
As one of his werewolves was crushed by stone, Elder shook off his doubts and charged. Rolling off his back, Kenji landed to the ground in his Troll form as Elder crashed into one Guardian's side and began tearing into it's iron-hard bark.
Kenji charged the other, and jumped to punch the Treant Guardian, the resulting crack blasting out across the glade and shattering the outer layer of protective bark. The Guardian responded by binding Kenji's arms and legs with various tendrils, then directing a blizzard of razer sharp leaves to wittling away at his flesh.
Kenji howled, several frenzied werewolves coming to his aid by throwing themselves at the vines and roots to cut him free. Free again, Kenji began to beat the every loving crap out of the Treant guardian. Punch after punch dazed it, dancing on his toes and shielding his face to block like a boxer, Kenji withstood the onslought of whipping roots or grasping wooden arms. before long the Guardian was left bruised and battered, sap flowing everywhere and it's arms shattered. Yet even then the Guardian continued to fight, buying time for Furblog reinforcements and lessor treants to arrive and begin to push the werewolf forces back.
Growling, Kenji ripped himself free and watched in horror as the Treant Guardian was coated in a bright green glow that saw it's arms returned and it's many wounds regenerated.
”Fear not my old friend, I have you,” wheazed a wisened Furblog all in grey and white. Much smaller than the regular, it held a twisted wooden stave with a bright green gem at it's peak. The little old Furlbolg had emerged from a humble little hut next to the great tree, and it's silver necklace with a paw print pendant remained the only symble of the creature's station.
Harriet had informed them all before of how to identify the enemy war leader, and even if Kenji was still stunned how small he was, he coudn't give up this chance. Charging the lone creature down, he noted with a heavy heart that the Furblog continued to send bolts of healing light to his allies across the battlefield as Kenji struck him down.
Dozens of Furblogs screamed, and charged Kenji from every direction.
The war leader himself just looked Kenji in the eye with a sorrowful gaze.
”It's not your fault,” the old Furbolg whispered as Kenji crushed his throat.
Holding back tears, Kenji jettisoned his [Forbidden Slot] copy of the Troll body over the top of the old Furbolg, and using that as cover, became him. By the time he was pulled out by the other Furbolgs, the gorgous tree had been split down the middle with writhing green energy, and it's source had been pulled free.
The werewolves had retreated as quickly as they had come, believing Kenji would fulfill his role alone as was the plan. There was only one problem.
”Oh no...” Kenji whispered as the villagers continued to ask if he was alright. ”We've made a critical mistake, that wasn't just a powersource for our defenses was it?”
”What do you mean High Druid? Those idtiotic werewolves have allowed the foul Witch to steal the Heart of the Forest, this whole land is doomed!”
Not just that, as Kenji delved into the old Furblogs memories he found nought but kindess, purity, and charity. They had indeed been the ones to convince the fawns, the deer and the rabbits to leave. But the plague?
The Furbolgs had had nothing to do with it.