The eastern pathway stretched before them, shadows deepening as the tree above blocked what little light filtered through.

Amiya led them forward, the map clutched against her chest like a shield. Her curly black hair bounced with each hurried step, determination replacing the trembling that had plagued her earlier.

The sounds of distant battle grew louder, with Reinhard hearing the deep booms that shook the ground beneath their feet. But the sight that made his eyes widen in shock was flashes of light that painted the sky in intervals.

Crimson light covered the north, Black-white covered the sky above them, and golden-blue covered the south. The three-pronged assault raged on, drawing the forest's fury away from their position.

Trees thinned ahead with the pathway opened slightly before narrowing again.

Roots began spreading over the ground, some roots twitched as they passed, responding to movement but not attacking. The forest's attention lay elsewhere, focused on the greater threats tearing at its barriers.

Then they stopped.

The root barricade rose before them, exactly as they'd seen it earlier. Countless roots woven together in impossible density, forming a solid wall that climbed upward until it disappeared into clouds overhead.

No gaps existed between the interlocking wood, while the barrier extended beyond sight, curving away into forest depths.

Amiya turned, her eyes finding Honor through the dim light. "How do we use the Star Jewel to part the roots?"

Honor's helm tilted slightly. "She just needs to believe in the roots being parted, and then we can go from there."

Marie stepped forward, her light-gold eyes reflecting the barrier's imposing presence. Her fingers found the Star Jewel hanging from her neck and held it.

Reinhard watched, light blue eyes tracking every detail while Joseph's hand tightened on Arondight's shaft. Janus held his breath, Casseo and Veryn stood ready, prepared for anything, and Honor remained still.

Golden light bloomed from the Star Jewel.

It started small, a gentle glow between Marie's fingers. Then it expanded, growing brighter with each second before the light swept outward like a wave, washing over the root barricade. Where the golden illumination touched wood, something changed, the air itself seemed to shift, reality bending slightly around the barrier.

The roots trembled.

It started at the point where light made contact, spreading outward in ripples. The trembling intensified, wood vibrating with increasing frequency. Then, slowly at first but gaining momentum, the roots began parting.

They pulled apart like curtains being drawn, sections peeling away from each other. Wood that had been woven together for two centuries separated without resistance, creating a pathway through the impossible barrier.

The opening widened five feet, then ten, and then more until there was enough space for their group to move through comfortably.

Everyone grinned with relief sweeping through them.

Amiya clutched the map tighter against her chest and nodded sharply before she rushed forward without hesitation.

Marie ran beside her, the Star Jewel still glowing in her hands. Reinhard followed immediately, Zenuken ready despite no immediate threat. Joseph, Janus, Casseo, Veryn, and Honor formed their protective formation.

The pathway through the roots extended ahead.

Marie held the Star Jewel forward, its golden light continuing to bloom and sweep over any roots blocking their advance. Each time the light touched wood, the same trembling began before roots parted, opening the way forward. They moved through passages that should have been impossible to traverse.

The forest around them still continued to shake.

Explosions rang out with increasing frequency, massive detonations that sent vibrations through the ground. Trees swayed despite no wind while the branches above trembled, and leaves fell in scattered patterns.

The colors painting the skies continued to expand beyond the forest's reach. Crimson light flashed from the left, accompanied by sounds of terrifying screams. Black-white brilliance shone behind them, punctuated by shockwaves that rippled through the air. Golden and blue radiance blazed from the right, mixed with crackling electricity, water swirling, ear-splitting screams, and thunderous impacts.

The three-pronged assault continued with devastating force. Each one draws the forest's fury, pulling its attention and defensive capabilities away from the eastern pathway.

They pressed forward, moving deeper where no human had reached in two centuries. Then Amiya slowed slightly, her expression changing, which Reinhard noticed immediately, following her gaze.

Bodies.

They lined the pathway ahead, corpses and remains of those who had tried moving through these barricades. Or maybe the bodies of those who got dragged away by the roots, as some were recent, and still decomposing.

Others were older, bones visible through torn clothing. Many had roots growing through them, wood piercing flesh and binding the dead to the forest floor.

Animals lay scattered throughout. A deer, its body twisted at unnatural angles with roots wrapped around broken legs. Bears with massive frames crumpled against the barrier, with some dogs resting against them. Birds crushed between interlocking roots, wings spread as if they'd been trying to fly through gaps that didn't exist.

Phantasm Beasts appeared among them as well. The werefangs had roots through their body, Autumn Deer with antlers broken, and other beasts were broken into pieces.

Skeletons emerged from the deeper sections, bones yellowed with age, clothing rotted to mere fragments. Decades-old remains of people who'd been captured when the barrier first formed. Such as families who'd tried escaping together or Beast Masters who'd attempted to force their way through.

All of them failed and were captured by the forest.

Everyone's expressions grimaced as they continued past the gruesome display. Marie slightly frowned at seeing so much death, Joseph gritted his teeth, while Janus looked away from particularly disturbing remains.

Casseo and Veryn maintained their focus, but tension showed in their movements. Honor's helm tilted toward the bodies, a silent acknowledgment of the fallen.

Reinhard continued moving with a blank look until they reached a clearing. The pathway should have continued straight ahead, allowing them to press forward without interruption.

But the forest had finally noticed them.

Roots blasted outward from the barrier ahead with explosive force. They rushed toward the group, moving far faster than the passive roots they'd been passing. While tendrils lashed out from multiple angles simultaneously, hacking at them from above, below, and both sides. The forest's attention had turned toward the eastern pathway, toward the eight humans daring to approach Helios.

Reinhard sighed, his light blue eyes tracking the incoming assault. "Welp, it was expected."

Honor nodded sharply, his wyvern helm turning toward Amiya and Marie. "Amiya and Marie, continue moving! We will protect you two as we continue!"

The roots closed the distance rapidly, mere seconds from impact. Marie held the Star Jewel forward, its golden light attempting to part the attacking tendrils. This did stop the ones coming, but then new ones instantly took their place, making it futile.

Combat was inevitable.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.