Their footsteps echoed through the dense forest as they raced between the towering trees. Bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the foliage, they pressed onward with unwavering determination, undeterred by the rumbling vibrations that reverberated through the earth beneath them.
As they drew nearer to the forest's edge, the light ahead beckoned them forward, casting their figures into sharp relief against the darkness of the night. With each stride, the anticipation grew until, finally, they reached the edge of the plateau and beheld the sight that lay before them.
There, in the distance, stood a peculiar giant tree, its massive form leaning at a precarious angle. Despite its unusual posture, the tree seemed alive with movement, its leaves and branches swaying and expanding with an otherworldly energy.
Inietta's hand grasped the pointed tip of the giant tree, its growth seemingly unimpeded by her presence. As the trunk and leaves continued to expand at a rapid pace, she couldn't help but ponder the magnitude of the situation. "Isn't it too much just to hijack this train?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of growth surrounding her.
With her free hand, Inietta reached back to check her back, ensuring that the layer of mana thread fabric she had woven remained intact. Despite the powerful blow she had endured earlier and the relentless onslaught of the trees, she remained confident in the protection it afforded her.
As Inietta's hand clung to the tree's pointed tip, a strange sensation coursed through her fingers. Glancing, she realised that the tree had enveloped her hand, trapping it within its rapidly growing mass. With each passing moment, the tree's grip tightened, making it increasingly difficult for her to move.
Inietta observed as the surrounding tree trunks began to intertwine and converge, weaving together to form a sinister shape. In a matter of seconds, the amalgamation took on a familiar form, resembling the black shadow that Inietta had encountered and defeated before. However, this time, there were countless manifestations of the shadow, swirling and coalescing around her in a menacing display of darkness.
"Finding the true body is impossible," Inietta murmured, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. Casting a glance towards the train carriage where Alfred diligently inspected the contents of each cage, she observed his progress with a sense of resolve.
"Not even half of it yet," she thought to herself, acknowledging the daunting task that lay before them. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, she remained steadfast in her purpose. "Our goal here is just to check and make sure that the contents of the carriage are devoid of Ephi," she reminded herself, her focus unwavering as she prepared to confront whatever challenges awaited them.
As the small tree trunk in front of Inietta morphed into a humanoid figure wielding a pointed spear, its movements fluid and precise, Inietta found herself trapped by a grasp, her left hand engulfed within the giant tree's point. Despite the immobilising hold, she remained composed, her mind sharp as she assessed the situation.
With lightning speed, the humanoid figure launched its attack, the wooden spear extending with alarming swiftness toward Inietta. In a split-second reaction, Inietta intercepted the attack with her right hand, her grasp firm and unwavering. Sensing an opportunity, she released her hold on her trapped left hand, allowing her to cut through the encroaching wooden mass with precision swiftly.
Free from the confines of the wooden trap, Inietta seized the moment, using the momentum of her movement to propel herself upwards. Yet, as she swung upward, she encountered a new threat—spikes suddenly sprouting from the spear's shaft, poised to pierce the hand of anyone who dared to wield it.
Undeterred, Inietta deftly manoeuvred herself to safety, finding purchase on a larger tree trunk nearby. With a swift and decisive motion, she simultaneously sliced through the humanoid figure as she swung, cleaving it in half with a single stroke. Her palms remained unscathed, protected by the resilient fabric of her mana cloth.
With no time to spare, Inietta sprang into action as the trunk and branches of the tree lurched forward with alarming speed, intent on trapping her once more. Reacting swiftly, she leapt out of harm's way, her agile movements carrying her effortlessly over the advancing wooden tendrils.
As she raced over the uneven terrain, several sharp tree objects relentlessly pursued her, their jagged edges glinting menacingly in the moonlight. Undeterred, Inietta pressed forward, her movements fluid and agile as she deftly navigated through the dense foliage.
Amidst the chaos, humanoid creations emerged from the trees, their forms blocking Inietta's path and impeding her progress. Yet, with unwavering resolve, she met each obstacle head-on, her strings flashing with deadly accuracy as she effortlessly cut through anything that dared to stand in her way.
Inietta's primary objective was to buy time until Alfred completed his inspection of all the train cabins. However, amidst the chaos and challenges that surrounded her, she found herself drawn to the thrill of the battle.
With a fierce determination burning within her, Inietta resolved to engage her adversaries with all the skill and prowess at her disposal. Each encounter became an opportunity to test her abilities, to push herself to the limits, and to emerge victorious against the relentless onslaught of foes.
As she deftly navigated through the chaos, Inietta unleashed a barrage of attacks, her movements fluid and precise as she danced through the fray. With each strike, she sought to wear down her enemies, to exhaust their strength and resolve until they could no longer pose a threat.
Driven by a desire for challenge and excitement, Inietta threw herself into the fray with unwavering determination, refusing to back down in the face of adversity. With every move she made, she revelled in the thrill of the battle, knowing that each victory brought her one step closer to achieving her ultimate goal.
From a distant vantage point, the observers witnessed the swift and decisive action as the giant tree, which had previously grown with alarming speed, was swiftly cut into several pieces, its formidable form collapsing with a resounding crash.
As they watched the scene unfold before them, one of the observers, seated upon a rock, queried the others, "Do you feel it?" His companion, standing beside him, pondered for a moment before responding, "I didn't sense anyone else, but..." He paused, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them, his expression thoughtful. "You sensed it too, didn't you?" he inquired.
The seated observer nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the battle's aftermath. "That unique mana, very faint but widespread," he remarked. Turning to his companion, he asked, "Do you have any insights, Cha?"
Cha, the third member of their group, considered the question carefully before responding, "Whoever he is, he must be from Eleventine. Perhaps some form of assistance?" Her words hung in the air, the group collectively pondering the implications of the mysterious presence and its potential significance in the unfolding events.
Amid the chaotic battle, Inietta leapt and darted between the fallen giant trees with lightning speed, swiftly dispatching the humanoid adversaries that crossed her path. Yet amidst the flurry of movement, she encountered a formidable opponent charging towards her.
As they closed the distance between them, Inietta and the humanoid met at a convergence point amidst the shattered remnants of a fallen tree. The humanoid brandished its spear with lethal intent while Inietta prepared to engage it bare-handed. However, just before the clash, Inietta's keen instincts alerted her to an impending danger.
With a resounding impact, Inietta found herself sprawled on the forest floor, the force of the blow knocking her off balance. Despite the pain, she remained composed, her mind racing as she attempted to make sense of what had transpired. "I was certain I had diced it into cubes," she muttered, grappling with the unexpected turn of events.
In a sudden flash of realisation, Inietta recalled the moment before the collision. With split-second precision, she manipulated threads of mana to sever the humanoid into pieces. Yet, to her astonishment, the creature possessed a remarkable ability to regenerate, its body seamlessly reuniting mere moments after being dismembered.
Inietta's gaze fell upon her right palm as she uttered a quiet realisation, "I got too carried away and forgot the most important thing." In the ensuing silence, the patter of water droplets against her exposed skin served as a stark reminder of the reality surrounding her. With a cautious glance upward, she sought reassurance in her surroundings.
Slowly rising to her feet, Inietta's eyes fell upon a chilling sight before her. Suspended from the branches of nearby trees were the lifeless forms of Eleventinians, their bodies impaled by sharp wooden branches. What she had initially mistaken for water droplets was revealed to be blood, still fresh and dripping from the gruesome scene.
As Inietta coughed up blood, a grim realisation washed over her. Blood stained her palm, a stark reminder of her weakened state. In her zeal to engage in battle, she had overlooked the fragility of her own body.
Forgetting that her physical form was already compromised, Inietta had relied solely on her mana to shield her from harm. While it could mitigate the impact of sharp objects, depending on the flexibility, it can be less effective against blunt force trauma. The effects of the previous blow now began to take their toll, her body unable to withstand the punishment it had endured.
"There's something invisible, something sharp," the shadowy figure muttered to herself, her gaze sweeping the area as she sought out Inietta's weakened form amidst the chaos of battle. Through the perspective of the surrounding trees, she honed in on her target, noting Inietta's weakened state.
Suddenly, a shift occurred within the battlefield as Inietta's invisible threads lost their cloak of invisibility. What was once unseen now became tangible, the previously hidden threads revealing themselves across the expanse of the battleground.
"They always use shining weapons, don't they? But this...?" The shadowy figure's astonishment was palpable as she observed the entirety of the battleground enveloped by Inietta's razor-sharp threads, capable of slicing through anything in their path.
"It's impossible for me to carry out super regeneration like before, continuously. So, this is my chance," the humanoid tree figure declared, determination gleaming in its eyes. With a raised right hand, it signalled its intent. "It is now or never."
Simultaneously, the surrounding trees began to converge, their branches intertwining to form a formidable barrier. Other humanoid trees joined in, stretching out their arms as if preparing for a coordinated assault. Amidst the gathering chaos, something massive began to take shape—a swirling vortex of sharp, spinning blades that generated a powerful gust of wind, threatening to engulf everything in its path.
The humanoid tree figure above glanced at her left palm before firmly gripping it. With a swift motion, she unleashed a powerful spinning attack. Vines from the surrounding trees snaked across the grass and bushes, ensnaring the unbalanced legs nearby. Inietta found herself immobilised, unable to move as the vines tightened their grip.
A deep rumble reverberated through the air, signalling the approach of a massive cone-shaped object. Rotating violently, it loomed ominously in front of Inietta, its sharp edges gleaming as it bore down upon her with relentless force.
Inietta acted swiftly, weaving several layers of fabric around her right hand in a brief but intricate pattern. As the massive cone-shaped object hurtled towards her, she braced herself and blocked the attack with her fortified hands. The impact was formidable, sending her bulldozed backwards amidst a trail of destruction, marked by the shattered remnants of trees in her wake.
Meanwhile, satisfied that the attack had landed, the humanoid tree figure made a decisive decision. "I will withdraw all my consciousness and finish her off with this body," she resolved. Simultaneously, another humanoid figure remained motionless on the spot, its consciousness withdrawn. With only one body retaining awareness, she collapsed to the ground before a giant root emerged, swiftly propelling her forward as she rode atop the moving mass.
Despite being propelled backwards by the force of the attack, Inietta remained resolute. With her right hand still bearing the brunt of the assault, she summoned the scattered threads from the forest floor with her left hand. Guiding them swiftly, she encircled the attack with the threads, weaving them into a tight formation. With a decisive jerk of her left hand, the powerful attack was cleaved into numerous small fragments.
However, the danger was far from over. Instead of dissipating, the fragmented pieces hurtled outward like a volley of bullets, wreaking havoc on the surrounding foliage and trees.
As the humanoid tree figure rode upon the rapidly moving root, she arrived at the widened area of destruction caused by the fragmented attack earlier. Pausing for a moment, she surveyed her surroundings and noted the absence of Inietta's mana threads. "Stay alert," she reminded herself, wary of any potential traps.
Attempting to divide her consciousness to scout the forest, she was caught off guard. In an instant, the root she rode upon and the body she inhabited were sliced into pieces, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
"If she were somewhere nearby, I should have felt it, as her steps must have touched the grass or bushes on the forest floor," the figure pondered. "She must be stalling on purpose, perhaps waiting for reinforcement." In an instant, the figure considered the urgency of the situation, akin to a time bomb that couldn't be delayed any longer. With that in mind, she left her body, which remained lying in place.
One of them stood up and declared, "Looks like it's finished. Let's go there. But first, Shawn, send a signal towards Mr. Iggra." His friend behind him opened his right palm, conjuring a ball of shining mana. He gripped it tightly as if breaking it, then directed it backwards. In an instant, the white light shot out. "I sent him the signal, Blake," he reported. Blake, leading the group, replied, "Let's approach cautiously. Cha, keep your radar half-focused." With that, Blake moved forward, followed by Shawn and Cha. They advanced toward the area where Inietta was engaged in battle.
The branches of a tree expanded so large that they formed a humanoid figure. After its body was fully formed, it strode towards the train driver's carriage, not too far away. "There's no time to waste," it muttered to itself. Climbing into the carriage, it settled into the driver's seat and immediately reached for the large lever to start the engine. However, after pulling the lever, nothing happened.
"You forgot something," came Inietta's voice from behind the driver's seat. She stood leaning against the doorway separating the engine room from the driver's cabin. In her outstretched palm gleamed a train engine fuel crystal.
"No wonder I didn't feel her movements. She was waiting for me in the carriage," pondered the humanoid tree figure. It acknowledged that it couldn't hijack the train and its cargo, resigning to its fate. "Just kill me," it resignedly said.
Upon hearing this, Inietta asked, "Is it all just for money? Do you think it's worth it?" The humanoid tree retorted, "You wouldn't understand." Inietta pressed further, "Aren't their lives… worth it?" The humanoid tree was taken aback, considering the implications of Inietta's words. It thought, "This person... Perhaps it's a trap. She could have tailed me to the sanctum." With caution, it deliberated on its next move.
Observing the figure's silence, Inietta pressed further, "I've learned of the train's disappearance in the Salaria region, orchestrated by you. You manipulated rail routes and concealed traces, making the train and its cargo vanish without a trace."
The humanoid tree figure queried, "What's your point?" Inietta continued, "Take them with you." At that moment, Alfred entered the driver's carriage, joining them. "The person you seek isn't here," Alfred informed. Hearing this, Inietta urged the humanoid tree figure, "Time is running out; reinforcements will arrive soon."
As the train shook violently, the humanoid tree figure acknowledged, "I cannot take them all. But… thank you."
Meanwhile, outside, the surrounding trees surged violently, creeping towards the train and crashing into its various parts. Their growth was so rapid and immense that it caused the train to overturn. The massive trunks and branches enveloped many of the iron cages, seemingly devouring them whole. Wood burst forth, bending the iron bars and destroying the cages in the process.
The rapidly growing and flexible wood engulfed the person trapped in the cage completely, swallowing them whole. The waves of wood then spread across the forest before gradually receding into the ground, leaving behind a scene of destruction and chaos.
Blake, Shawn, and Cha arrived at the scene. They saw Inietta and Alfred standing atop the overturned driver's cab amidst the wreckage of the train and its carriages. The silence lingered for a moment as they absorbed the scene before them.