As the first rays of dawn filtered through the canopy, painting the forest in hues of gold and emerald, Alex stirred from his rooted slumber. The night had passed by uneventfully, thanks to Fang's vigilant watch. The dire wolf paced around Alex's trunk, his glowing eyes scanning through the underbrush for any signs of intruders. The scattered remnants of wolf pack from the previous evening had slunk away into the shadows,, but Alex could sense their lingering presence through his expanding root network , a subtle vibration in the soil, like distant footsteps.
"They're still out there.", Fang's gruff voice echoed in Alex's mind via their telepathic link. "The pack. They fear me now, but hunger will drive them back. I can command them now , Grove father, but true loyalty to you, well that requires your touch.". Alex's leaves rustled in acknowledgement. He checked his system screen, which flickered to life with a soft chime.
System : World Tree Ascension Path
Name : Alex (Treant form)
Stage : Seedling treant (Level 1)
EXP : 15.5/100
Skills : Basic Nurture (Channel mana to grow plants/animals , gain mana based on nurtured entity)
Mana : 100/100 (It had regenerated overnight , a small mercy from the system)
Sap of Life : 4/5 remaining
The Sap of Life was a golden essence drawn from Alex's core , potent enough to overwrite the very soul of a creature. He had four drops left, and the thought of using them wisely weighed heavily on him. Fang was proof of its power, the once ordinary wolf pup now led as the head of what would become the Hunting division, his enhanced strength and the Pack command sill turning him into a formidable guardian.
"First, we build, ", Alex though, projecting the idea to Fang. "I need more EXP to grow stronger. And you... you'll need a pack to command properly.". Fang nodded, his tail swinging. "The survivors from last night bout, five strong wolves. They've submitted to my dominance. Bring them to the fold , and they will hunt for you, culling threats and gathering sustenance for the grove."
Alex extended his awareness, feeling the wolves' wary approach through the soil. They circled at a distance, drawn by Fang's commanding presence but hesitant after the clash. With a mental command , Fang let out a low howl, summoning them closer. One by one , the wolves emerged, lean , gray-furred beasts with scars from forest skirmishes. They bowed low before Fang, acknowledging him as an alpha.
Alex looked at them for a moment and said, "Not yet" , as he decided internally. "Sentience for them will come after a while , once I've leveled up and have more Sap to spare. For a now, let them serve under Fang's command. I'll test their loyalty."
He focused on nurturing instead, channeling mana into the surrounding flora to accelerate his growth. A patch of wild flowers bloomed under his influence, each small plants costing 2 mana and yielding 0.1 EXP. HE nurtured ten of them in quick succession, watching as their petals unfurled with vibrant colors.
Nurtured : Small plant (Wild flowers) * 10 - +1 EXP
Mana : 80/100
EXP : 16.5/100
Next , he targeted a cluster of shrubs , larger plants that promised better returns. The mana drain was steeper at 5 mana points each, but the reward was worth it.
Nurtured : Large plant(shrub) * 3 - +1.5 EXP
Mana : 65/100
EXP : 18/100
The grove around him began to flourish, a verdant circle expanding from his roots. Birds flitted through the branches, and small animals darted in the undergrowth, drawn by the pulsing life energy. Fang's pack watched hungrily, but under their alpha's stern gaze, they held back from unnecessary predation.
As the morning wore on, a new opportunity presented itself . A shadow passed overhead, a large hawk circled the tree tops, its keen eyes searching for prey. Alex felt a spark of inspiration. Scouts. He needed eyes in the sky to survey the forest, spot dangers before they reached the grove, map out resources for nurturing. "Fang!", Alex communicated, "draw that bird down. Gently. I have plans for it."
The dire wolf barked an order, and one of his pack wolves lunged at a nearby squirrel. startling into a frantic dash. The haw dove, talons extended , but Alex was ready. As the bird neared, he extended a thin root tendril, brushing it against its wing with a controlled burst of mana, not to nurture fully but to entice. The hawk landed nearby, tilting its head curiously. It was a majestic creature , with feathers the color of storm clouds and eyes like polished ember. Alex focused his Sap of Life, feeling another golden drop well up and flow through his roots. Light enveloped the hawk, its form shifting : wings broadening, plumage hardening like armored scales, and intelligence blooming in its gaze.
Sap of Life : 3/5 remaining
Sentient Ally created : Claw ( Storm hawk)
Skills gained (Claw) : Aerial scout (Enhanced vision and speed for reconnaissance), Wind Gust (Manipulate air currents to disorient foes)
Claw perched on one of Alex's lower branches, her voice sharp and melodic in his mind. "grove father, I see far and wide. The winds carry secrets to me. What do you command?". "Welcome , Claw ", Alex replied , a sense of expansion filling him. "You will be the one to scout in the air and search for dangers and you will lead your own division of scouts in the air called Scout Division. Survey the forest, find threats, resources, anything that could aid our growth."
Claw took to the skies with a powerful flap, soaring above the canopy. Through their link, Alex caught glimpses : a river to the east teeming with fish, a clearing dotted with ancient ruins, and ... something darker. A patch of withered tree, their barks twisted and blackened, emanating a foul aura that his roots recoil. "The taint." , Alex realized, the word blooming in his mind from the system lore fragments. It was the corrupting force mentioned in his awakening, a shadow that threatened the balance he was destined to uphold.
Fang's pack, meanwhile, grew restless. Under their alpha's guidance, they ventured out on a short hunt, returning with a slain deer that had wandered too close. The system pinged as they dragged the carcass close to the grove's edge.
Enemy defeated (via Proxy: Fang's pack) - + 15 EXP
EXP : 33/100
"Not bad", Alex though. "But they're still just beasts. In time when i level up and my Sap reserves grow, I'll grant them sentience too, turn them into true members of the legion with powers of their own."
Claw returned shortly after, landing with a gust of wind that rustled the leaves. "Grove father, danger approaches from the tainted patch. Twisted beasts, boars with thorns for tusk, eyes glowing red. They heading this way, drawn by your life energy.". Alex branches tensed. His mana had regenerated to 85/100 during the wait, enough for a fight. "Fang, ready your pack. Claw, provide aerial support. We'll turn this threat to growth."
The ground trembled as the tainted boars charged into the clearing , three hulking monstrosities, their hides corrupted with pulsating veins of shadow . Fang roared, activating Pack command, and his wolves flanked them. Claw dove from above, unleashing Wind Gust to knock one off balance. The battle was fierce but coordinated. One boar gore a wolf, drawing a yelp, but Alex channeled Basic Nurture mid-fight, sending a healing pulse of mana to med the injury.
Mana : 75/100
Fang tore into the lead boar's throat, while Claw's talons raked another's eyes. The pack finished the third, their jaws snapping in unison.
Enemies defeated (via Proxy: Legion) -+30 EXP
EXP : 63/100
As the tainted corpses dissolved into wisps of dark smoke, Alex felt a surge of power. The grove had held, and his legion had expanded. But the taint's presence lingered in the air , a whisper of greater evils to come , the high ones, or perhaps, their masters.
"Stronger together." , Alex though, his roots delving deep into the soil. With Fang's pack proving their worth and Claw scouting the horizons, he was one step closer to his cosmic destiny. Yet, as the sun climbed higher, a distant figure caught Claw's eye: a elf, cloaked in green, watching from the forest's edge.
To be continued