The group arrived at the Lumisgrove at long last, two days after their terrifying run-in with the Ursus Glacialis.
On the other hand, their trip had not been uneventful in any way, at least for Erik.
There were many Thaids in the forest, and each one appeared more vicious and terrifying than the one before.
Nevertheless, every time, the group proved capable of meeting the challenge by engaging in combat using a combination of well-planned strategy and raw power.
Erik led them with grim determination, his and Garrett's eyes constantly scanning the area for any indications of impending danger.
Even when it was evident that he was exhausted, he never failed to guide them to their destination in the most secure manner, using his command over the plants.
Despite his injury, Marcus refused to sit out the rest of the game.
He fought, relying solely on his willpower to get him through the pain, his shield acting as a fortress against the unrelenting assault of the Thaids.
Alexia's pinpoint aim and lethal accuracy with his arrows helped him kill many creatures. In contrast, Garrett's quick thinking and ability to adapt helped them get out of dangerous situations.
Despite how seemingly insignificant it may have been, every victory gave them more confidence and increased their mood.
They felt a wave of relief wash over them as they looked upon the tall trees and glowing flora of the Lumisgrove at this moment. They were exhausted, battered, and bruised but still alive.
They had made it to their destination, beating the dangers of the forest and the monsters within it and overcoming their physical limitations and fears. They had achieved their goal.
But this was not the end of their journey; it was only the beginning. The tricky part of the task was just about to start.
They were about to find out what was hidden deep within the Lumisgrove and the secrets it guarded.
Erik was struck by the sheer magnitude of the Lumisgrove's splendor as his gaze traveled across the sprawling landscape.
It was unlike anything they had ever seen, but they gradually became aware of the changes as they neared their destination. The change was gradual but very strong.
The dense canopy allowed sunlight to penetrate it, and the resulting rays cast a shimmering glow on the glowing vegetation.
From reading about it in school texts, Erik had only heard about the incredible phenomenon of intrinsic luminescence that the plants possessed inside the Lumisgrove.
The glow of the flora seemed to hum with life when it was bathed in the radiant sunlight; the overall effect was a sight that could only be described as enchanting.
They had never seen anything like the towering trees there; they were magnificent beyond compare.
Their hefty trunks reached for the clouds, and their expansive canopies formed a verdant ceiling above them as they spread out overhead.
This was a world in which nature displayed majesty on a scale that had never been seen before.
They noticed that each Thaid they saw in Lumisgrove was noticeably bigger than its counterpart in the rest of the world.
The Lumisgrove was the very definition of untamed vitality; it was a realm that throbbed with an energy that was at once awe-inspiring and intimidating.
It was like stepping into a realm of fantasy or dream, a world where the boundaries of reality were stretched and contorted into a grander, more vibrant canvas.
Erik felt his feelings stir up like a whirlpool as he observed the location.
Reading about it in books was an entirely different experience than going there and seeing it for himself.
Even though it was a foreign world, Erik experienced an unanticipated sense of connection, a resonance with the wild spirit of the Lumisgrove.
But underneath all this awe and wonder, dangers concealed in the shadows of the enormous trees were waiting just below the calm surface of the luminescent plants.
Garrett was the first to speak up, breaking the hush that had descended upon the group. He whispered to Marcus as he turned his head slightly toward Marcus and glanced back at him.
"This place... It's stunning."
Marcus, who had been looking around wide-eyed since they had entered the grove, nodded in agreement, his gaze still taking in the ethereal beauty around them.
His hand rose to shade his eyes from the sparkling radiance of the luminous plants, and he let out a soft, respectful sigh. "I've never seen anything like it. It's beautiful..."
Both men stood there in silence for a moment, their eyes moving around the breathtaking panorama.
Alexia cast a contemplative glance in all directions as she investigated the glowing vegetation around them.
As her eyes swept over the dense foliage that glistened in the sunlight, she finally asked, "How can these plants still look so alive and lush, even in winter?"
Erik turned to her, a contemplative expression on his face. "Mana," he replied, causing her brows to furrow. He chuckled lightly at her reaction before elaborating.
"This place has a much higher concentration of mana than other places. About five times as much, to be precise. It's the reason why everything here is so vibrant and lush."
The group contemplated the ramifications of his statements as they lingered in the air. Even the air they breathed was infused with mana, as were the plants, animals, and the air itself.
Alexia drew in a deep breath as if to determine whether or not Erik's statements were accurate. However, all she could smell was the earthy sweetness of the forest. There was nothing else.
"However," Erik's voice broke the stillness, his tone becoming suddenly solemn, "this excess mana can also be dangerous. It's what caused the creatures here to grow so large and powerful. And if we stay here too long, it could also affect us." His warning sent a chill down their spines.
"By the way, do not let this place's beauty distract you," Erik continued, his gaze scanning their surroundings warily. "We must stay focused since this place is teeming with Frantian soldiers. We're here to retrieve the Auburn Pine is crucial for our food production system. We can't afford to be distracted."
As his words continued to sink in, the group's initial reverence for the Lumisgrove gradually transformed into a newly discovered sense of caution.
Even though the Lumisgrove was breathtaking, they couldn't linger because they had a job to do. One on which their family, friends, their home depended.
Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only