Adventures of the last Wild Dragon

Standing at the edge of the corrupted clearing the party carefully observed everything that they could.

The pond in the center was relatively small, only around 10 meters across and spherical in shape. The corrupted tree was significantly smaller than the giants that made up the majority of this regions trees, standing no more than 15 meters tall. It was similar to a willow, with dropping branches, yet very few of these were left. The scarred and bleeding trunk dominating all attention.

The surface of the pond was calm, with only the persistent rain causing any disturbance. Thick patches of algae and plant life floated on the surface. After they saw the Bark Horror leave the waters all appeared to be calm.

Yet the pervasive presence of a 4th evolution creature dominated the area. It was by no means the most powerful presence they had felt, more comparable to the guardian of the Star Tree than the monsterous crocodile they were forced to flee from several days ago. Still the fact that they could not locate the being producing the presence did not reassure the group, if anything it only caused them to be even more weary of the pond.

For if they were unable to see what was producing the presence, then it only left two possibilities. Either the creature resided within the pond, staying hidden beneath the surface. Or the tree itself was the source. Violet wasn't sure which option she would prefer.

"Why does it have to be another evil tree." Luna complained, clearly already sick of having to deal with trees being evil. Not that anyone present could blame her, trees were meant to be simple, they were trees, so why had they already encountered two evil ones?

'Sigh' Violet blew out air from her nostrils in agreement, she too was not happy that they would be facing such a being. Still she knew what had to be done, or at least she thought she did. "So we need to kill that tree right? Should I just blast it to pieces? Or does anyone have a better option?"

The group stayed silent for some time, clearly wondering what else could be done to eradicate this corruption. Rhyana was the one to speak up. "I think you are the best bet to try and destroy the tree, try to blow apart its trunk in a single blow with your cannon skill. Then the rest wait for any response from the monsters and go from there?"

A simple plan, but it was hardly worth making a more complex one seeing as they knew so little. Nodding her head in agreement Violet readied herself, then began to cast void cannon.

Lines of nothingness began to carve themselves in the air above her, the complex symbols glowing with a faint purple hue. The cast time for this spell is usually around 10 seconds, but Violet opted to overcharge the spell and extended the cast time. As a result the magic circle slowly grew bigger and more complex, new symbols etching themselves into reaility.

However, as the mana built up something noticed.

Luna who had been keeping a close eye on the pond and tree was the first to notice the slight movement. A small ripple in the pond was all that she saw, yet she reacted instantly. A wall of ice rose up before Violet, moments later several bone splinters impacted it, sending chunks of ice flying from the impact.

Then the pond roiled.

Luna dropped the ice wall, and Violet unleashed her spell.

A blast of void erupted forth, a core of nothingness over a meter wide surged forth with unstoppable force. A corona of purple radiance trailing behind.

The remaining limbs of the corrupted willow whipped forth the try and intercept the blow, whilst bark like limbs erupted from the churning waters to join in the defence. The twisted branches and unnatural limbs entwined a silly dark green light binding them together the moment before the void cannon struck true.

BOOM!

The willow branches and faux limbs were eradicated, a clear circle bored through their impromptu defence. The trunk behind had also been struck, yet the blast had not punched fully through. A sizeable hole had been blasted into the trunk, yet it only reached half way through. Clearly the defense had greatly weakened the attack, allowing the tree to survive its execution.

As the party observed this in surprise, the waters of the pond seemed to shudder. Then dozens of Bark Horrors began to rise from its depths. These were smaller than the ones that they had previously fought, clearly this was the breeding ground and these were the new born. Or spawning grounds? Violet wasn't sure, what she did know however, was that the situation had take a significant turn.

Whilst Violet took a moment to recover, having used a sizable chunk of her mana reserves from that attack. The rest of the party did not delay.

Rhyana called down a storm, lightning gathered in the clouds above before striking down into the raging waters of the pond. Streaks of electricity scattering along the surface, striking anything that got in its way. Once a target was struck it acted as a lightning rod of sorts, more bolts striking true.

Luna unleashed a storm of spears, Arctic fury constantly summoning more. A wave of frigid chill crept forth from her in a surge, as it reached the waters edge it froze it solid. The spears shooting forth and striking the monsters that emerged.

Susan summoned bubbles that floated around the group. Each one freezing over, yet remaining in place. Creating a scattered shield before the group. It proved its worth as a wave of splinters shot forth towards them, yet when they struck the ice bubbles they were deflected away from the party. Each bubble would block several splinters before popping, at each pop the splinter that dealt that final blow was sent flying back at the one who launched it.

Then the tree made its move.

The previously mostly passive presence of the pond suddenly roiled. A pressure slammed down into the group, slowing them down and making them have to fight to remain standing. Then roots erupted from all around them, each one scarred and seeping its cursed sap.

Yet before the roots could travel far a roar echoed out from Violet. Her aura surged, her presence manifested. The pressure on the party was pushed back in a surge of strength from the Wild Dragon of the Void.

With the stage now set and all participants accounted for, the battle truly began.