A long time ago in the Great Forest of Tob, a Monster appeared, a giant Treant with great power. An evil Tree that drained the life force out of the plants, animals, and all-natural life that surrounded it. This monster would do this every so often throughout a three-hundred-year span. During this time it chased away the original caretakers of the forest, a tribe of Dark Elves.
But what could the creatures and residents of Tob do? The monster was far too strong and any time any tried to stop it they never returned, nothing but victims of the Treant.
Decades ago though, one chance of hope appeared. A Dryad had spotted a group of seven adventurers. Normally all Dryads did their best to avoid any adventurers because they were either killed or captured by them, but knowing that the giant evil tree was beginning to once again take life away from her home this particular Dryad had decided she would risk her life for even a chance.
The Seven Adventurers heard her out and her plea for their help. They had no reason to help, the Great Forest of Tob was where many monsters came from and none of them lived close enough that they needed the forest and its resources to survive. In addition, the Dryad was unsure she could provide any reward. But the adventurers headed her request, the leader gave his promise to the Dryad that they would defeat this monster.
When the Group encountered their foe, their leader gave it a name that the Dryad could never forget, Zy'tl Q'ae.
And for the first time in her whole life, the Dryad witnessed the monster being beaten. It was not an easy fight and it was only a piece of Zy'tl Q'ae's body. But they were winning. After claiming victory though the Dryad informed them it was only one part of the monster.
The adventurers undeterred used an item to seal up the the Evil Tree and give the forest a longer stretch of peace from the creature than before. The Dryad was sad to see her friends go but all of them promised to return by the time the seal was broken. The Dryad has hoped to see her friends again one day. But they never did, perhaps they never will.
After telling her story and asking for help again to defeat the Tree, Pinison waited for Herohero and Aura to react but while both seemed concerned neither was saying much, "I know it's a lot to ask, but you need to help take down Zy'tl Q'ae before it is too late. Its seal is breaking sooner than expected and this treant army is nothing compared to it."
following another stint of silence Pinison started to get really annoyed but these two were likely her only hope since it seemed her friends from before were not returning. Even if they were they would not be here before the seal broke as well. The very seal they put up on the Arbor Mala so long ago. The dryad was unaware that Herohero was thinking while Aura having noticed this remained silent but she was partially tempted to grab Pinison.
'How is Nazarick holding up? Aura may not be the strongest guardian but a few of the Treants survived one hit. Whether it was defense or higher health I do not know, but enough of those ones could put us in some trouble. I need to Send Aura back and maybe abort this quest. I am sure the Swords of Darkness will understand once-'
"PLEASE HELP ME!" Pinison was now on the ground and was on her hands and knees, "please..."
Pinison was desperate and scared and so much more, "This creature, it is as strong as the dragon lords! maybe even comparable to the dragon lords of the Eight Greed Kings era! A long time ago a group of adventurers helped me but unable to defeat it, they managed to seal it up instead. But...but..." *A couple of tears formed in her eyes, "Despite our promises to each other they never returned. And now it was only a matter of time before..."
Aura came forward and hummed a bit, "What can you offer in return? if it is dangerous do you expect us to do it for free?"
Herohero stood up now still not much taller than Aura. He was still learning the history of the world but from the stories he had heard it was possible the Eight Greed Kings were also players how they ended up so far in the past of this world was beyond him. He also has not seen a dragon lord from this world but from context, it seemed they were strong. If this large Treant survived the Eight Greed King or some other players and was compared to a strong dragon, it was a threat he would have to take care of.
"I will help you, in exchange you will join us as a subordinate and help us with the Great Forest of Tob afterward in addition you must tell us all you know about the history of this world," Herohero held out his hand, "if you disagree don't take my hand but know this is not open to negotiation." Herohero's reason for this was having someone from the Great Forest of Tob who had been there for a while would help secure Nazarick in the future and help with the fake Nazarick construction. The information was to satiate his curiosity, especially about the Eight Greed Kings.
Pinison took a few moments to consider it as she was worried about what being their subordinate would even mean. Given how treated that giant Hamster before it was not an easy decision but to stop this Treant she had to, "A-alright. But we have to hurry!"
a large explosive sound was heard, "That came from where Solution Epsilon and the others are," Aura pointed out.
There were a few possibilities, ranging from a monster they encountered to Solution and Lupusregina getting bored and deciding to "Play" with The Swords of Darkness and Nfirea which would be concerning to Herohero because it was their quest to protect him. But what was most likely happening was Treants had gone around Herohero and Aura and made it to the edge of the forest!
"Aura, get back to Nazarick as soon as you can and check on the situation there. If they are unable to handle it the three of us will head back to Nazarick and focus on defending it and destroying the source. If they are fine then meet us back here, bring Mare as well."
Aura nodded and sprinted up one of the trees so fast it surprised Pinison, "Who are they?" She whispered to herself.
When Herohero got on top of the giant hamster he felt like it was softer than even his bed, maybe he can rest against it later.
"Master, why do you feel so weird?" The giant hamster said before it shivered, "It feels like something slimy is on my fur."
"Don't worry about that and just be happy it is not destroying your fur," Herohero made sure to hold back his racial ability to save his new pet and occasional living cushion
"Why would you sitting on my back destroy my fur?!"
"Move it we have to get back to the people I came here with!"
"Yes, master!"
While he rode the giant hamster Herohero thought to himself and considered how he would compensate this giant hamster, he never had one before, 'I know one of the other members had a hamster but which one? Maybe they left notes on it in the library?'
Solution and Lupusregina worked to stave off most of the Treants that were coming after them but what surprised both of them was how occasionally they would have to give more effort due to a treant that would not go down as quickly as the others, due to this Lupusregina had taken some damage.
The Swords of Darkness stood as Nfriea's direct line of defense but they had to work to take down even the weaker treants when they managed to slip by their allies from Own Goal.
"Where did these things come from? you don't think they got to Nine right?" Lukrut said as he fired an arrow at a treant which allowed Dyne to finish it.
"Such arrogance, these things must have snuck by him. Don't you dare suggest a bunch of walking weeds beat him!" Solution's anger nearly cost her ground from a treant that popped up beside her.
Ninya and Peter finally managed to take down the second Treant. Peter and Dyne were looking worse for worse and two more treants managed to get past Soi and Regi. But one of them seemed to be acting more intelligently and stayed close to the two women as it looking for an opening.
But the other Treant managed to outmaneuver Peter and moved directly for Lukrut, The ranger's arrow hit but it kept going.
"Acid arrow!" Nfirea shouted as he fired a green pointed sphere at the Treant which Ninya followed up with a magic arrow. Peter quickly slashed at the treant from behind. Lukrut, Ninya, and Nfriea managed to finish it off with three follow-up attacks.
"Nicely done Nfirea if not for you Lukrut might have been a goner," Peter complimented Nfriea because the boy was the one they were supposed to protect.
Lukrut grumbled, "You make it sound like I would have died in one hit, need I remind you it is you who looks like they've taken way too many slaps to the face?"
Ninya stared at Lukrut, "J-Just thank Nfriea!"
Lukrut acquiesced, "Thanks for the save even if I did not need it."
Nfirea smiled and scratched his cheek, "it is no problem, but what about that one?"
The Treant that had ignored them before had now fixed its attention on them. The wood sticking through its trunk mouth moved as it saw them as a meal more than a target.
They tried barraging it from afar but due to it being one of the tougher Treants it did not go down easily and it was quickly moving on Peter and Dyne.
But before it could reach something jumped from beyond the trees, and then a second figure jumped off the first, landing right on the Treant. It was Herohero who finished off the Treant with a landing strike.
"Nine, you're okay!" Peter moved towards Herohero and lightly punched his arm, at least he tried to but Herohero moved out of the way. It made Peter feel a little awkward but he did not question why the man did that.
"I know what's caused this but first we need to clear out the rest. Soi, you will help me from the front, Regi keep everyone healed up!"
Lupusregina nodded and moved to where the Swords of Darkness and Nfriea were. Solution stood beside Herohero.
"Ready?
"Always~"
Herohero and Solution's team-up was a lot more coordinated than when he did it with Aura. Each well aware of the other's strength kept to an all-out assault on the weaker Treants and switched out tactics for the more boisterous ones. Herohero would attack and use his corrosive abilities to weaken the Treants before Solution finished it with her knife. It was quite an impressive teamwork between the two.
Lupusregina was a little jealous since while she could fight with Herohero as well, she lacked the knowledge needed to be a perfect combat duo like Solution could, 'maybe if my Grand beast King was here' she thought of Mekongawa. "I suppose she can have this one," Her words confused the others but the context of the situation made them think it had something to do with Nine and Soi's relationship once again making them all think there was a little more to "Own Goal" then simply all three being apart of the same adventurer group.
Everyone was finally given a chance to heal up and rest after the last Treant fell. Lupusregina having noticed Aura was missing asked Herohero, "Where is that cute little dark elf?" she asked it this way because the Swords of Darkness and Nfriea were still nearby.
"She went to go find her brother just in case he was attacked, she said she would meet back with us and bring him along."
Lupsuregina and Solution nodded as they got that it meant Aura would go check on Nazarick due to its proximity to the threat.
Pinison would explain everything from her spot on top of the former Wise King of the forest to the rest of the party as she did with Herohero. About Zy'tl Q'ae as the cause of the Treant breakout.
"Nfriea, I hope you understand this means we will be putting your quest on hold. It would be unsafe to pick herbs till we deal with this problem."
Nfriea did understand, "I will head back to Carne village till you return, that way I can also warn Enri and the rest of them."
"So you really intend to take on that giant treant? Despite what Pinison said?" Peter had a serious air about him in this moment. He was concerned for Nine as while he was undoubtedly strong, he had some doubts about if he could face a threat like that.
"I do intend to, rather I have to. Peter, I insist you and your friends hang back at Carne village as well while we take care of this problem." Herohero was not sure he could prioritize their safety and if it came down to it they would likely be killed quite easily depending on the level of this creature he would face.
"Don't be ridiculous we will help," Peter said determinately. Ninya, Dyne, and Lukrut would back up their leader as well.
"I once again insist you remain behind," Herohero stood up which due to his height even in this illusion would not give his words more weight as he intended, "I cannot guarantee your safety. If it comes down to it, in order to save Soi or Regi I would even leave you to die."
Solution had to cover her face as the thought of Herohero saving her made her giddy. It made her forget her brief anger at these humans for not listening to him.
"And I insist we come, you'll need all the help you can get!"
Herohero was going turn them down again and even was going to knock them all out to ensure they stayed behind. But they had a certain advocate speak for them.
"Sir Nine, if I may, I say we indulge them." Lupusregina barely held back a sinister tone. To her, it was like seeing her new toys in action, and she viewed each member of the Swords of Darkness as a toy, especially Ninya but the other three were enjoyable. At best they give her more reasons to play with them later. At worst they die which these humans do so verily often, the only loss to Nazarick would be Ninya due to her magic talent, but it was only a slightly negligible loss.
Herohero acquiesced, "Fine, but you will do everything I say. And you four will only be taking on the smaller Treants. understood?"
The Swords of Darkness agree.
By the Great Tomb of Nazarick were many frozen Treants, sliced-up Treants, and Treants destroyed in other various ways. Aura was worried on the way here but it seemed as though they had handled the Treant attack before it even reached the tomb. 'But this also means Lord Herohero's fear about them reaching getting to Nazarick was right. And this wave is much larger than the one we encountered, I should grab Mare and head back quickly!'
The first NPC Aura saw was one of Demiruge's seven evil lords who helped him and Cocytus defeat the first wave of Treants. She was told her twin was checking to see if any Treants had broken any of the covering he did and had noted that Mare was worried since he was not done yet.
Eventually, she spotted Cocytus who was staying outside the tomb with the seven evil Lords in case another wave came.
"Aura. You. Have. Returned."
"Yes, and with information and Lord Herohero's orders."
She filled Cocytus in on how she and Mare would head back to Herohero and help him defeat this large Treant that was causing this mess and to have everyone on in Nazarick on standby. Most importantly to keep it safe. Cocytus understood these orders and was going to inform temporary overseer Shalltear soon though Demiurge had already informed her about the large group of Treants that attacked before.
"Is. There. A. Reason. Herohero. Does. Not. want. Us. To. Join. You?"
Aura had wondered that herself. She doubted that this Large Treant would be much of a challenge but certainly more guardians would make sense. But he had to have a plan so she never asked, "My guess is to keep those humans traveling with them unaware of Nazaricks existence. Keep up the good work, I need to find Mare!" Aura climbed up the walls and moved along them to find her brother.
Her fellow Dark Elf was soon spotted, almost done fixing up some damaged spots. Aura grinned cheekily, just as her creator Bukubuku Chagama had created her Aura would never give up a chance to tease her 'little' brother, even if he was created right after her.
Aura approached her brother and said in a fake disappointed tone, "tsk, Mare, Mare, how can holes be created so easily in our defense."
Mare jumped when he heard his sister, "I-I w-well I-I," Mare was stuttering a little bit, "I-it was just the one very large hole! I s-swear I-I"
Aura put her arm around Mare and caressed his hair, "There there, explain it just like that to Lord Herohero and I am sure he will forgive you for being cute."
Mare's stuttering picked up after that to the point he could not even get a full word out in an understandable way. Aura lightly patted Mare's shoulder, "Don't worry, just kidding! He knows about what caused this situation and sent me back to get a report on how it affected Nazarick, so he probably expected this."
Mare stared at his sister's grin and pulled up his staff, "A-Auraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! how could you!"
Aura stood up before Mare could hit her with the staff, "Easy, Herohero needs us. But we will need to hide our true selves from certain people with him. Come on tell I'll you on the way back."
After Aura and Mare had come the group set out and followed Pinison further into the Great Forest of Tob. Aura, Lupusregina, and Ninya sat on the Giant hamster's back, Herohero had not thought of a name for it yet. Lupusregina lay in an odd curled-up ball way, the poor Giant hamster was too frightened of Lupusregina to tell her to get off because two people were already pushing it after the previous attack. with the Cleric the poor hamster felt as though it were prey being watched by predators.
Lukrut and Mare walked on the left side of the Giant hamster. Peter and Dyne on the left. Herohero and Solution up front.
"So...you're Aura's brother?" Lukrut asked with a tone of uncertainly. Mare dressed in feminine clothes like a skirt made Lukrut actually wonders if that was the case.
"Y-yes."
"Our cre- Our mother gave us these clothes. It makes sense, boys should wear girls' clothes and vice versa for girls' and boys' clothes!" Aura was a little too excited in tone.
Herohero mentally punched himself for not telling them to keep that to themselves. Unless by some miracle it was a known practice of Dark elves which was unlikely, the Swords of Darkness would certainly be confused.
"Really? I never heard of that before." Peter rubbed his chin.
"Not many people see Dark Elves these days, if that is the tradition of their clan or family it is not our place to question it." Dyne's wise words saved Herohero from having to think of an excuse or prevent Aura and Mare from getting mad.
'Thank you Dyne,' Herohero thought to himself.
Lukrut leaned his head against his hands, "I am questioning it. But still who would ever dress up as the opposite sex? wouldn't that just make things inconvenient considering certain ahem body parts?"
Ninya laughed nervously "Y-yeah who would ever do that! Certainly not so they would not be turned away or something rediculous like that!" Ninya quickly looked apologetic to the twins, "N-not that it is weird that you do. Maybe Dark Elves have developed clothes just for it. Haha."
Aura blinked as did Mare. Aura was about to say something to Ninya but as if sensing someone was about to ruin something fun for her placed a finger over Aura's mouth. Sure the Gaurdian of the sixth floor was stronger than her but She did not want Aura to ruin part of the fun that came with Ninya and the Swords of Darkness.
Lupusregina smiled ever so mockingly and said, "Are you saying it confuses you Lukrut? Did you like seeing Mare's outfit before you realized he was a boy?"
Lukrut almost fell over because his dread rose the moment she said that. He needed to save himself quickly "Of course not Regi! they are children so how could you even assume the worst of me."
Lupusregina smiled more mischievously, "That's right you still have Peter after all."
"Regi what did I do to deserve such treatment!"
"I can several you pig," Solution had overheard their conversation and while she personally did not mind it, "Soi" did.
"Two beautiful ladies, one hates me and the other teases me, and not in a good way. Oh, what a cruel world." Lukrut took out an arrow and picked at it to pass the time and hopefully keep attention off of him.
Since they were getting close to their destination the group stopped to take a quick rest and make sure they had all that they needed.
Herohero and the NPC's split off from the Swords of Darkness, Pinison, and the giant hamster to discuss amongst themselves.
"We will split up how we need to, Lupusregina and Solution you are to stay by the Swords of Darkness and keep them protected and healed up."
"Should I not focus on keeping you healed Herohero?"
"No that won't be necessary as I don't plan to hold back in this fight. Which means I will need to drop the illusion."
Solution was a wee-bit concerned, "Are you sure that is a good idea? What if the humans see you?"
"Hopefully they will not, your group will just be focused on the smaller Treants. Keep them away from the main fight if you can."
Lupusregina's hat twitched her ears moved a little, "I will keep my toys safe don't you worry."
"And what about us?" Aura asked eagerly.
"P-personally I was hoping we would help you Herohero."
"Of course, you two will be my backup, provide support, and attack where needed. However, if our foe proves to be too strong without more strength we will fall back to Nazarick." Herohero would rather not leave the human adventurers behind like that but much like a business, you have to be prepared for loss in a battle.
"That is all well and good, but if I may ask," Solution's beautiful yet creepy grin returned, "What if any of the humans do see you before your illusion item is put back on?"
Herohero thought about it for a moment. He was not fearful of people finding out he was an Elder Black Ooze because that would put him in danger, but rather because it would interfere with what he wanted to do and see in this world. Plus he was still human before, could he really be okay with entire nations of humans being wiped out by the denizens of Nazarick just because they go after him? Not really, but he was not okay with what preventing that news from getting back to the rest meant. But it might be necessary to avoid a bigger loss.
"If any of them spot me, do what you can to prevent them from telling the rest. By any means necessary."
"Grahhhhhhhhhhh!" Zy'tl Q'ae was already awake, in a tentacle-like vine gripping many great trees from their roots and taking any life that was around them regardless of whether it was plan or animal. Though any animal or creature that had been long since killed by the large army of smaller Treants that sprouted from the monster.
"That is a very very big tree." Peter gulped a little but he and his team would not back out now.
"Hmmm..." Aura was studying the creature with her skill which allowed her to evaluate a creature thanks to her class. She was surprised; it was quite high leveled, but the stats seemed off.
"Sir Nine I believe its level higher than most of us here." She motioned not only to the Swords of Darkness and the giant Hamster but surprisingly also to Lupusregina and Solution.
"It is?" Herohero was worried hearing that, maybe he should order Solution and Lupusregina to leave.
"O-Oh I was worried about that. I-if it is too much for I understand." Poor Pinison has lost hope after her friends never returned so her confidence in her new savoirs was low.
"No we came all this way, but it seems I was correct to keep you all on the Treants as well."
"There is something else though," Aura put her fingers around her eye and peeked through it, "Its health seems to be much lower than usual, it is healing after absorbing some of the forest but even its stats seem low for its level."
"Maybe..." Ninya gripped their staff, "Maybe in order to make the smaller versions of itself, it takes something away from itself as well?"
Herohero never even thought of that, he just thought Zy'tl Q'ae was one of those bosses from dungeons that continuously spawned minion enemies to keep players busy. But if it was more a detriment to then it was probably because it could wake up quicker this way. This meant despite its current mindless state of just attacking and absorbing life, Zy'tl Q'ae was capable of intelligence.
'This is so exciting! Maybe Tabula and I could have thought of that as an easy area guardian. Maybe those of us who worked on the maids could have made a small guardian of the maids that spreads its power between the normally weak maids to deal a surprise attack even at the cost of itself!' Herohero's programmer mind had found something else to be excited about in this new world, maybe even something he could experiment with in his free time. If only Zy'tl was not a possible threat to Nazarick, he might have tried to capture it instead.
"This is perfect. We will strike now. Aura, Mare with me. Peter I trust you with Soi and Regi, keep all the smaller Treants at bay! and..." Herohero looked at the giant hamster, "...Hamsuke! you keep Pinison from harm's way!"
"Y-you got it, master. your humble servant Hamsuke will do her best!" Hamsuke adapted to their new name quickly, which was convenient because Herohero came up with it on the spot.
Pinison perks up they were actually going to try? Her hope was gone but still, she prayed for these adventurers, and future boss Herohero, to succeed.
They started to run at the army of Treants. Zy'tl noticed them easily and screeched loud enough for the whole forest to hear it.
Mare raised his staff, "Earth surge" He raised the earth and dirt creating large columns of them to keep the majority of the treants out of Herohero, Aura, and his path. A few got through the cracks but Aura took care of most of them with her bow, To Your Heart- and Herohero took care of the rest.
"W-what was that?" Ninya was really surprised by the magic prowess shown off by Mare.
"They all sure are something huh?" Lukrut wondered what Nine could have possibly saved those twins from if one of them could do that.
"We should focus on what is in front of us." Peter took out his sword, Soi would be their main offense because despite being a thief she was the strongest of them. Not counting Nine and those twins. Regi would also attack but focus mainly on healing. Peter and Dyne would back up Soi at the front best they could while Lukrut and Ninya picked off from behind.
Meanwhile, Herohero and the Dark Elf Twins dodged out of the way of the vines as best as they could.
Aura jumped from column to column created by Mare's earth magic and pulled back the light arrow formed in her bow, she fired it, using her targeting skill in order to reach Zy'tl Q'ae and hit it with ease.
"grrrhrhrrhhrhhhhhhhhhhh!" Zy'tl screeched as one arrow after the other hit. It started whipping its vine tentacles widely, hitting many of its own Treats along the way and destroying much of the columns near it.
Aura had managed to stay on the column she had fired on but it would crumble soon enough. "Hmm, I wonder," Aura used her skill to evaluate Zy'tl again.
"Awa!" Mare was grabbed by one of the vines as was Herohero.
By then though he was confident they were far enough, he undid the illusion, his gooey ooze body showing off as the vines started to burn away due to being affected by his passive corrosive body skill he activated. When he was free he jumped from the rapidly deteriorating vine to the one constricting Mare and punched it hard, his personal item Gauntlet of the Ancients increased his racial acid and corrosive skills so the vine was nearly instantaneously destroyed.
"T-thank you Lord Herohero- I-I mean sir Nine!"
"hah, it is alright Mare, they are not around."
"There is another problem," Aura came back down to their level on the ground, "I think the main body gets the health and power back from any of the Treants it created whenever one is killed."
Herohero thought to himself, 'Thats amazing! it could just continuously make its army because it regains any lost stats whenever one is taken down. potentially making it an infinite amount, would be perfect for a dungeon!' He then said out loud, "That means it can continuously make more so it is dangerous. Aura, head back and tell them only to kill Treants if it is necessary for survival. Otherwise, just keep them at bay until we defeat Zy'tl"
Aura moved back as fast as she could.
Mare and Herohero moved up to Zy'tl.
"S-sorry Herohero move out of the way, p-please." Mare raised his staff again before smacking it on the ground after Herohero moved far enough to the side, "Earthquake!"
The ground shook and cracked, collapsing some of the columns on the Treants nearby and creating a hole for them to fall into but not deep enough to kill them.
"Grhrrhhrrhr!" Zy'tl Q'ae was affected by this as well as it slightly sunk into the earth and some of its roots were crushed. Going for more long-range the creature produced seeds and fired them at them.
"Magic shield!" Mare protected them from them but due to the creature's lowered stats, it would not have done much damage to either of them regardless.
Herohero lowered his body somewhat, "Resistence massive! protection massive!" He raised his defense against both magical and physical attacks. His Ooze body started to slide run across the ground, he brought his two fists back.
Vines whipped for him but could not grab onto him thanks to his corrosive abilities, the seeds fired were negligible and he dodged most of them. Herohero slammed both fists into Zy'tl's main body and screeched loudly.
"I am surprised you do not just kill all your minions to regain all your stats. Maybe you cannot think of that in your current state," Herohero stopped a vine with his hand which started to burn and melt away instantly, "If you could you would be very afraid right now. But if it is any consolation you have given me some inspiration!"
Meanwhile, by Lupusregina, Solution, and the Swords of Darkness, Aura was helping keep the Treants at bay by using Shadow Piercing Arrow as much as she could to keep them paralyzed.
However one of the Treants caused Dyne to lose his footing, Solution had managed to cut it up before it could damage him but two more Treants grabbed him and started to pull him quickly into their massive group.
"Ahh!" Dyne tried to use his mace to free himself but both were one of the durable Treants.
"Dyne!" All three other members of Swords of Darkness yelled. Peter tried to run after him but was stopped by Solution who saved him from a Treant rushing him.
"Soi get out of my way!"
Solution stared coldly at Peter, "I won't save you if you go into the mass of them. Right now it would be best if you focused on who can save without risking your own life. But unlike Regi, I do not care either way." She flung her knife in the air and it flipped before landing back in her hand. She then went back to helping Aura keep the Treants at bay while barely killing them.
Peter looked at Ninya and Lukrut who stared at him in horror, Lupusregina patted both on the head, it was the first time Peter had seen Regi look sad. He gritted his teeth, "Just please stay alive Dyne." He moved closer to his two remaining friends, aiming to keep them safe above all else.
Mare had slammed his staff against vine after vine to protect Herohero.
Herohero kept punching various parts of Zy'tl Q'ae, it looked like it had recently been on fire from how churned it looked.
"Grr-rrrahhh," Zy'tl Q'ae was barely holding on.
Pinison flew up despite Hamsuke's warning not and could see it from here, "They are actually doing it. They are defeating it's main body." She wiped tears from her eyes that started to fall down after she realized after all this time and all her waiting, it would all finally be over.
'I hope my friends would know it was finally about to be slain.'
From atop Zy'tl Q'ae's wooden body, Herohero sat as the creature stirred and failed to attack Mare. He looked at the odd-looking herb that popped out of the creature's head, it stuck out like a sore thumb as it did not look like it fit the creature and its mossy head. Herohero wondered what it was but he would have someone else grab it as it would just melt away in his hand.
"Speaking of," Herohero raised one of his Ooze hands up, "This has been fun Zy'tl, thanks for the inspiration. OH! and bye." Herohero slid down the front of the body of the creature, holding his hand flat against it while he did it. Zy'tl Q'ea screeched one last time before it succumbed and finally fell to the ground. Defeated and killed once and for all.
All that remained now was cleaning of the Treants it produced, if not to prevent Zy'tl from returning then to prevent more infectation of the forest.
"U-um..." Mare looked like he wanted to say something.
"What is it, Mare? you can tell me anything."
"C-can I take some of the Treants back to the sixth floor?"
Herohero was surprised he would ask that but he was not against it, at least they could control them in Nazarick, "Sure!"
Mare smiled nervously and daintily walked over to the large group of Treants.
Solution eventually made her way over to Herohero, "I am happy to see you were victorious my Lord Herohero, I am just sad I could not witness it myself."
Herohero's Oozy body waved throughout itself a bit, "It was nothing really. I wonder what fighting it at full power would have been like."
Solution smiled at her creator, "I doubt it would have been much trouble for you either way."
Something had crossed the slime maid's mind though since Aura mentioned that Zy'tl Q'ae was higher leveled than her and Lupusregina, at full power likely stronger as well.
'If there exists more things in this world stronger then I must get stronger for his sake.'
While everyone else was focusing on finishing off the remaining Treants, Mare was staring down someone he had caught in his own magic vines along with quite a few Treants. He had caught this person's line of sight on Herohero as well.
It was Dyne who had barely escaped the jowls of death but now having only witnessed "Nine's" true body for a couple of seconds he was facing it once more.
"What did you see?" Mare asked this without stuttering.
"What is he?" Dyne asked before shaking his head, "Wait why does it matter what I saw? Nine helped us so...even if he is some kind of Slime it would not-"
Mare raised his staff, "I-I cannot allow you to live. It was his orders to prevent anyone from talking about his real form. W-which I- I find crazy because he looks much more g-glorious as an Elder Black Ooze than a human. Y-you humans are truly shameful to make him feel like he s-should hide it."
Dyne gulped, "I swear, I will not tell a soul."
Mare raised his staff more, "Since Lord Herohero seems to like you all, I will make it a quick one. W-will need Solution Epsilon to get rid of your remains, she normally prefers them alive though. S-sorry for this."
Dyne seeing as nothing he said would work was about to shout to save his life, "HEL-" His world went dark before he could say his last word.
Albedo, Sebas, and Narberal were in a cart being guided by a man they knew was bringing them into a trap. But it was all for their plan.
It was a silent ride so far because Narberal was not one to strike up a conversation and Albedo was keeping to herself and only came along so that she may complete the job given to her by Herohero. Only so she can return to her beloved Momonga's side.
Sebas had been waiting for the cart to come to a stop and did not mind the silence. He did not need to remind either Narberal or Albedo about their roles, if all went well tonight would be the last night Albedo would be with he and Narebral as well.
But something was eating at him as it was all who saw it in the throne room that day, how Albedo acted towards Herohero, one of the supreme beings. It was unbecoming of any of the guardians let alone the guardian overseer.
"Albedo, you are free not to answer, but has Master Herohero offended you in some way?"
Albedo said nothing and just kept her eyes shut.
Sebas was given no answer as he had allowed it. Albedo may outrank him but Herohero made it clear Sebas was in charge. He could order the answer out of her but that would just make her more angry and besides, he feared the answer she may give.
The cart came to a stop and some voices ordered them to come out. Albedo opened her eyes.
From the desk of Herohero to Momonga
for some odd reason, I feel like "Hamsuke" is an unoriginal name. But it just felt right. I wonder what other names I could have given it though.
Hammy? no it's not a pig. Gerona? no, I don't think it would fit. Nibbles or Fluffy? way too common. Charlotte? Damn it I am back on the pig again!
well, anyway today was fun. Also, I've included all my thoughts on Zy'tl Q'ae and a mini-boss based on them. Maybe I can make it from one of the Treants Mare collected! Trust me if Tabula was here this would eat at him as well.
-Herohero