Hazel couldn't help flinching as dust was continuously kicked up. Payton was good, but not guardian grade beast good. Even with all three of them defending, they were falling further and further behind. Soon half the spears were making direct contact with her barrier. Howe's golems were only able to tank two or three attacks before they were too damaged to move. If the attacks had been water based… each golem could easily take more than a dozen hits… now they were minor inconveniences at best.
Howe started to focus on repairing the golems rather than support the barrier, repairing a golem was easier, and the golems could move. He wanted to curse his shortsightedness, but they hadn't expected any of Alaina's minions to use anything but water. Payton shared a glance as he went on the offensive. Now his spears were tipped with mana crystals. If even one made contact, the Pegasus would have to retreat.
Payton gave up blocking the spears as he snapped a pre-made enchantment that sucked all the wind into an amulet. For the split second the Pegasus was defenseless he sent a dozen crystal tipped stone spears. To create a distraction big enough for even a single spear to make it past the Pegasus's defenses, the more than two dozen damaged golems, some only moving arms, threw rocks and spears as well.
Hazel watched, ready to move or pull out her last defensive amulet. Between the rocks, spears, and golem pieces that had been thrown, the Pegasus was hidden for just a moment.
Payton didn't dare blink, but as the Pegasus dodged it was engulfed in a water barrier. For just a moment the barrier shielded the Pegasus from view, that moment was more than enough for it to move dozens of feet away and attack before the three could react.
Hazel screamed as three arrows passed through her barrier. Instead of wind, they were made of earth. Her dress had been torn to shreds. The only thing keeping her from being completely exposed were vines rapidly entangling her body as a purple flower was exposed.
Leonard jolted as the creature broke off the vines covering princess Hazel, then floated protectively in front of her. It was… strange to say the least. A blueish purple bud that opened to reveal shimmering petals that looked akin to a mouth. It had black eyes, vines coming from the base of the bud. Plants… of course he'd seen the mana fruit tree move, even communicate but nothing like this.
Before Leonard could do more than gawk the battle resumed.
Hazel leapt forward, clutching Glimmora to her chest turning her back to the oncoming attacks.
Just as Payton had reorientated to continue fending off the Pegasus he found himself rolled into a earthen dome. He'd let himself get distracted and hadn't watched for attacks aimed at himself.
Howe had seen the earthen net coming so sacrificed half a dozen damaged golems to evade, but now Hazel and Glimmora were without support. "RUN!" was all he could get out as more than a dozen arrows were all aimed at Glimmora's human shield.
Suddenly everything stilled, all the attacks had been… snuffed out.
Ashton stood over the trembling princess as he tilted his head, "You've frightened the flower."
It was such a calm, bland statement. He didn't sound angry, or surprised, just stating a fact. To everyone's surprise, the Pegasus was hesitant. Just flapping its wings to remain above the masses, but instead of looking down it now looked… wary.
Hazel had been bracing herself for pain, to be sent flying, possibly to die. She opened one eye slowly turning just enough to look up into Young Song's calm gaze. She gulped as she continued to hold Glimmora to her chest protectively.
Ashton tilted his head to the left, "Little Flower, were you frightened?" Ashton didn't raise his voice or look into the beast's eyes as vines started to slowly creep around her body. Ever so slowly, the vines wove themselves into a semblance of clothes.
Hazel stared into Young Song's eyes, then slowly nodded.
Ashton nodded to himself, then glanced up at the now subdued Pegasus, "My orders were simple, there were only two, don't frighten the flower, don't conspire in coup. You've frightened the flower, you conspire in turn, desperate to prove, the weakness is mine."
The Pegasus flared its wings in challenge, "You wouldn't dare!"
Ashton gave a bland smile.
Caius didn't even blink but lost sight of his Little Snack, when he looked at the Pegasus, his Little Snack was barely the size of its head. As if he'd been there the entire time, his Little Snack was standing level to the horse's eyes. The Pegasus didn't even have time to defend itself as once again his Little Snack disappeared from sight.
Ashton plunged his right arm through the chest of the Pegasus. Before tearing the core free Ashton hesitated, then glanced down to the big fox.
Caius didn't bother hiding his glee as blood started dripping down the Pegasus's chest. Even if his Little Snack didn't kill it now, there was no way his Little Snack would join forces with that bitch. They were now ants tied to the same rope! When his Little Snack glanced down at him with hesitation, less than half a moment, Caius felt… guilt. But he ruthlessly crushed it.
"Big fox, do you prefer your horse meat raw, or cooked?" Ashton asked as he clutched the core, pumping his own mana around it. The Pegasus couldn't move, its wings had gone limp as it screeched with the last of the air in its lungs. Soon it would only be able to hang limply from where he held it.
Caius couldn't stop the rush of elation, "Aiya! Little Snack is so generous! Aiya, raw is best! Preferably still… warm." Caius added licking his lips and showing off all his teeth. All of his kin perked at the idea. To eat a guardian grade beast? Aiya, when had they ever had such a treat?
Ashton looked past the Pegasus's eyes, that tiny sliver lurking deep below. Ah, yes, there she was, watching from the safety of her cave. Keeping eye contact, Ashton ripped the core out, letting the body drop.
Caius leapt forward, snatching the still twitching body in the air. Without hesitation he brought it to his kin, "Aiya! What a feast, don't let any of him go to waste." Without further ado, Caius started to eat from the stomach. Relishing every bite as his kin gathered around, ripping and tearing as fast as their little mouths could swallow.
Ashton held the blue core, what a… convenient bargaining chip. Ashton glanced down at the foxes, heart softening. One choice was no choice at all. Ashton turned his attention to the unbloomed flower. A pity, so many hundreds of years hiding only to be discovered. Then again, if not the beast, the humans should have known this was a real possibility.
Payton didn't turn his back on the younger beast as he helped Howe up, bringing out another outfit for Princess Hazel. While knowing an opposing beast is in your territory, seeing it is another matter.
Hazel held Glimmora to her chest as they kept their distance from the others. Their guards had quickly shed all pretenses as the small group of four were surrounded, waiting for Young Song's verdict. It would appear Young Song had been found of her, that should… be to her advantage.
Howe gripped a crystal flower pendant, as terrifying as the Pegasus had been, it had no intention of harming them. Young Song… was still a conundrum and far from predictable. Howe didn't dare to even blink as the young beast descended, approaching them.
"Make way." Payton ordered as the young beast deliberately landed just before their tense guards. Though there was apprehension, no one hesitated. "Young Song, our deepest thanks for your intervention." Payton offered with a deep bao.
Ashton tilted his head as he watched the wary group, "I'm merely curious, don't mind me." Ashton added as he continued until he was directly in front of the little Flower. Ashton reached his hand out to touch the closed petals. They were even softer than they looked. Ashton poked the bulb.
Hazel watched as the tension drained from her shoulders. She glanced up through her bangs, Young Song did appear… only mildly curious. "Would you like to hold Lady Glimmora?" She asked in barely a whisper.
Ashton poked the bulb again, only this time, two vines reached out to wrap around his finger and up his wrist. Before he could answer the petals opened just enough to see two purple eyes looking at him, then the vines wrapped around his chest as the flower leapt at him.
Hazel squeaked in surprise as Glimmora practically attacked Young Song, "My Lady!" Just as Hazel reached to pull Lady Glimmora off Young Song was sprayed with her pollen.
Ashton barely had time to close his eyes, arms trapped to his sides as the vines encircled him. This had not been what he was expecting… at all. Ashton's face had been scrunched from the sudden pollination… "I am not a flower…" Ashton reminded dryly as he bent forward to shake his head.
Hazel covered her mouth to keep from laughing, but a giggle escaped, "My Lord Young Song, she… giggle, she meant no disrespect, giggle."
Ashton glanced up with a drool stare, "One would think, such a delicate bud would know to be cautious around fire." Ashton half complained as two vines started to wipe his face, neck, and even chest.
Hazel couldn't stop the full-blown belly laughs as Lady Glimmora started groping Young Song all over. He kept a straight face, but it was clear he noticed exactly what Lady Glimmora was doing. "Hahahaha, My Lady!" Hazel pretended to admonish.
Payton's jaw almost dropped… Lady Glimmora had never been so… forward. While her vines might be able to smash boulders to pieces, Young Song had just ripped the heart out of that Pegasus… ripping through her vines should be no different from ripping through a paper bag.
Ashton gave his body a small shake, "Little Flower! Get her off!" Ashton was only half joking, something wet had just swiped his entire stomach. Ashton awkwardly tried to pry the bud away from his chest but the bulb started vibrating as the vines tightened around him.
Hazel gripped Lady Glimmora's bud at the base and started to pull, "Lady Glimmora! Let Young Song go!" Hazel half laughed, half admonished. With an audible squelch, Young Song was freed of her vines. Hazel stared at his dripping wet chest, pollen stuck in clumps… and burst into laughter as she crouched down.
Payten's lips twitched as Young Song had leapt a few feet back, wiping his chest in feigned rancor. "It would appear… our Lady likes you." The comical greeting had cleared the air. The yellow pollen and saliva made Young Song sparkle in the sunlight.
Ashton gave mage Payton a droll stare as he continued to futilely wipe at his body. "If any beast would fear me… one would think it would be my exact opposite… a plant of humility… I admit this has damaged my pride." Ashton groused looking at his slimy hands. Ashton covered himself in silver flames to burn the saliva and pollen away.
Howe tucked his pendant into his robes, "Ah, this speaks volumes of your charm Young Song!" After a quick glance, the guards all put their weapons away, standing in formation only to keep the rest of the people out.
Ashton snuffed the flames out, "That, or even a plant wants to try and eat me." Ashton stated as vines immediately reached for him as soon as the flames were gone.
Hazel kept tight hold of Lady Glimmora, her stomach was starting to hurt from the sudden shift of tension to laughter. Through their bond, she could hear Lady Glimmora saying she wanted hugs. Lady Glimmora didn't couldn't speak aloud, so every few years she would select a Voice. After seeing the mana fruit tree of the Dolquist tribe, it would appear having a Voice was common for sentient plants.
Neolani watched the bulb continue to reach for Ashton longingly, his reaction to the flower getting frightened had been more extreme than she'd expected. Now, she wasn't sure if the bulb, or Princess Hazel was the flower Ashton had been referring to. He seemed… so playful. The switch from feeding the still bleeding Pegasus to the foxes, right after ripping out its foxes to being teased by a floating flower bud was… jarring to say the least.
Calix just nodded, yep. Was not expecting any of this. He glanced around, exhausted. No wonder people didn't set up countries so close to beast nests… a casual visit was enough to chance death. "Grandfather… I don't even know how to feel anymore…" Between the playful… plant beast? Was that an oxymoron? And the foxes eating the Pegasus… it was like standing between a torrential downpour and rainbow.
Sebastian sighed as he leaned heavily on his cane. "Grateful to be alive boy. Now. Let us hope no one else comes to visit today." Sebastian half joked as he stiffly started to walk inside. He'd only come out after hearing the Pegasus's arrival. This gruesome scene of it being eaten alive… anyway, better to just pretend he didn't notice.