Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 36: Blood and Gold (part 2)

3RD POV

    Scorlu: - Well, well, what do we have here?

The mage's mismatched eyes remained locked onto Nicholas with amused disdain. The blind one didn't dull his intensity, but it somehow made him more terrifying. His scorpion tail twitched, scraping faintly against the riches. Nicholas gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He barely managed to lift his spear into a defensive stance, his arms trembling. Scorlu's steps were casual, like a predator enjoying the fear of its cornered prey.

     Scorlu: - You're not one of the criminals....

He glanced toward the sealed treasury doors, then back at Nicholas.

     Scorlu: - Lost, are we?

Another tremor shook the dungeon, causing small pebbles and dust to full from the ceiling.

     Scorlu: - Are you a magic warrior? No, that can't be the case, you look so weak and.... breakable.

He chuckled lowly. Nicholas wanted to vomit.

      Scorlu: - You know, if it were any other time, I'd play with you, but I'm in a hurry right now, so I'll just kill you. How about that?

Nicholas tightened his grip on his spear and began stepping back, angling toward the piles of treasure that might provide cover. Scorlu tilted his head, grin widening.

     Scorlu: - Run, then.

He lunged. Nicholas barely ducked as the stinger sliced through the air, crashing into the gold behind him and sending coins scattering like rain. Another strike immediately followed, the wind alone nearly knocking him off balance. Then the barrage came. Slashes. Jabs. Tail strikes. Relentless. Blindingly fast. Nicholas ducked, parried, scrambled, barely keeping up. Every dodge was tighter than the last. Selin’s brutal training was the only thing keeping him alive.

But it wasn’t enough. This was a battle of stamina and he had none left. He dove behind a statue, but Scorlu smashed through it with one hand, marble exploding outward. The tail struck him in the chest, sending Nicholas skidding back, crashing to one knee. He gasped for air, his eyes losing focus.

     Scorlu: - Sorry, kid. This is the end of the road for you.

A massive surge of magic ignited. From the earth beneath Nicholas, a torrent of acidic green and brown smoke erupted upward, swallowing him whole. The room shook violently, a shockwave blasting coins and treasure away. Smoke and ash curled through the chamber. Scorlu lowered his hand, exhaling with satisfaction.

      Scorlu: - Pity. You might've been fun to torment a little more.

He turned around, grabbing his magical device to keep looking for the item. But then...

BOOM!!

Scorlu's expression snapped into surprise as thick roots exploded from the ground behind him. They smashed into the earth and launched backward. The smoke parted. There, wrapped around Nicholas like living armor, was the Tree-trooper. Its back had split open, revealing a mass of glistening wooden tendrils, half-root, half-spine. They moved with uncanny coordination, some anchoring into the floor, others hovering protectively in the air like spears ready to strike. Roots had wrapped tightly around Nicholas's legs, arms, waist, and chest, forming a pulsing armor of bark and energy, shielding his broken body. Behind him, four massive roots extended like tentacles. Scorlu froze.

    Scorlu: - What the...-?! A Tree-trooper?! But....how?

He muttered, his amusement replaced by confusion and shock. Nicholas was staring wide-eyed at his body. It was covered by an armor made from roots. The small creature still remained firmly on his back, supporting his host. It had saved him. Again. He let out a breath, his gaze hardening as he stared back at Scorlu with a determined expression. He gripped the spear as he got into position.