Back in the Southern Chaotic Mountain the players followed the familiar path towards the Deer of Life. They reached a certain rock, watching Meyhran stand there while staring in the direction of the deer of life with tired eyes. The tremors were still ongoing, even growing stronger.
"Don't worry old man, we're about to take care of it!", shouted Cyclone.
"Thank you, adventurers. I really miss my sleep."
The party passed the old man and arrived at the crater ahead. The green-robed mage had already been waiting for them. She turned around with hope shining in her eyes.
"Adventurers, did you succeed?"
"Yes! We got a void-quelling potion from the cathedral! Please."
Silver Blade nodded at the elven mage while Liam handed over the potion. Inspecting the transparent liquid closely, the mage felt some relief.
"Yes, yes. This feels right. I hope it will be enough. Let's go down."
"Hm? Should we follow you?"
"Naturally. I hope you can apply the ointment while we reinforce the barrier so nothing of the void energy can escape."
"Well… alright."
After Silver Blade agreed, the green-robed mage didn't dare to delay. She waved her staff, and a small hole opened in the barrier, just enough for one person to get through.
Radiant Shield looked ahead, giving a puzzled remark:
"Honourable mage, you may have made a mistake. This opening is too far from the crater's slope. Entering from there we will surely be subjected to damage from the fall."
"Don't worry, the roots will help you."
"The what?"
"Just come with me."
The mage didn't want to discuss any longer when they were just about to save the object of her worship. She led the players to the hole, which was at the highest point of the dome-like barrier.
"Here, walk to the edge."
The friends looked at each other, communicating silently. Eventually Silent Acacia shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the edge of the opening.
"Hunter, raise your arm."
The young man followed instructions. Suddenly the roots below him moved as if alive. They rose upwards like a snake dancing to the sound of a flute and wrapped around Silent Acacia's arm. He instinctively wanted to draw his arm back, but the elven mage stopped him.
After it formed a firm grip the root lifted Silent Acacia up and carefully lowered him through the gap in the barrier until the hunter reached the bottom of the crater.
Watching the whole process Radiant Shield could only let out an exasperated sigh:
"Is this really necessary…"
Unfortunately, the elven mage didn't offer another method. Bloody Edge patted his friend's shoulder as he went forward to let the root bring him down.
Thus, the friends entered the crater one by one. While most just went down straight, Cyclone and Balm began to swing their feet. The roots swayed left and right like a vine. The girls laughed brightly like children on a swing. Sadly, the descend lasted only a few seconds.
Radiant Shield didn't dare to watch them, turning his eyes towards the sky. When he was the only one left, he reluctantly stepped up to the opening, raised his arms, and shut his eyes tightly. He endured the feeling of weightlessness letting out a deep breath when he felt the solid ground under his feet.
Watching Radiant Shield gather with the group, Liam nodded at him with a light praise:
"You're getting better at this."
"Well, I don't have a choice, do I?"
The others chuckled lightly before the green-robed mage joined them, drawing their attention.
"Adventurers, please, let us hurry and assist the deer of life!"
Her words directed everyone's attention to the scene not far away. There was the deer of life, it's gorgeous white fur almost shining by itself, exuding a mythical aura. But its big, hazel-brown eyes were filled with struggle and pain. It let out a whimper as it rammed its antlers against the barrier.
While the deer tried to expel the void energy this way, the opposite seemed to be the case. With each hit the violet streaks covering some of its body seemed to pulse, trying to grow. Quickly the other green-robed mages standing around used various spells in an attempt to suppress the void energy.
"Adventurers…"
"Oh, sorry."
The players had been enthralled by the deer's beauty for a second. They snapped out of it and got ready to help the mythical beast. Silver Blade took back the void-quelling potion from the elven mage and, remembering Archbishop Devres' instructions, carefully approached the Deer of Life.
The beast seemed to feel some danger, getting restless. Thus, the alliance mages conjured thick roots to temporarily hold it in place. Seeing the bast struggling Silver Blade didn't dare to delay. She opened the potion and poured its contents on the deer's body.
Instantly a change could be seen. The deer let out a low cry. The potion was absorbed by its fur which began to shine brightly. An immense vitality rose in its body. The sound of insects and birds came out of nowhere as grass and flowers began to grow on the surrounding rocks.
With another cry the deer suddenly mobilized all its strength. In one fell swoop it pushed out the void energy. A cloud of violet smoke rose from its body, instantly corroding the newly grown greenery.
The void energy circled around the barrier once before landing far away from the Deer of Life. It surged for a moment before surprisingly taking on the form of the deer, its body made of pure energy.
"What is that?"
"Is this thing sentient?"
"Protect the Deer of Life!"
The mages immediately started panicking. With a brief glance it became apparent that the Deer of Life was greatly weakened after expelling the void energy. Thus, the green-robed mages immediately waved their staffs, summoning thick vines to protect the deer while dragging it to the side.
"Adventurers! We are counting on you! Please kill this thing while we protect the sacred Deer of Life!"
The elven mage made her plea while running away and gathering with her comrades.
Watching her actions, the players couldn't help but be annoyed. Quickstep voiced everyone's thoughts:
"There are so many of you, can't you help us?!"
"We… will do what we can. Now, be careful! That beast is starting to move!"
"Ok guys! Focus!"
Silver Blade knew that they couldn't avoid the fight. She reminded her friends while drawing her weapons and turning towards the violet deer, using [Inspect].
[Void shadow – deer of life
Rank: Boss
Level: 51
HP: 70.000/70.000]
Silver Blade was confused having never heard the term void shadow. She glanced towards Liam, who briefly explained to his friends that a void shadow was a creature similar to a void dweller but with a strong focus on corrupting powerful beings.
There was no time to talk more as the fight began. The void shadow made the first move. Silver Blade and Radiant Shield couldn't even draw aggro.
"RAAR!"
Letting out a strange roar unlike anything the Deer of Life would ever sound like, the void beast's body sunk into the ground, vanishing from view. The players frowned, raising their vigilance. Suddenly small, violet sprouts appeared all over the ground. Within a few seconds they began to grow, turning into towering trees, all formed from void energy, darkening the sky.
"That's a bit scary…", murmured Cyclone while scanning her surroundings in the dim lighting. No one dared to touch the trees, waiting for the void shadow to show itself. Suddenly Liam sensed something, shouting a warning:
"Acacia, behind you!"
Silent Acacia wasn't surprised. He heard a rustling of leaves behind his back. Without turning around, he threw his body forward. Something passed close to his head.
[Stance -7]
Silent Acacia didn't even see the enemy, but his friends did. It was a miniature version of the void shadow, flying from tree to tree at an insane speed.
Obviously, it didn't end with one attack. Small void shadows continued to assault the players, choosing random targets. Cyclone had just dodged one assault from the front when another one came from her back.
"Cy!"
"Watch out!"
Cyclone heard the warnings from her friends, but it was too late. The void shadow slammed into her back, fusing into her body.
"Eww!"
The young woman shivered as a freezing cold ran through her blood. The feeling was nauseating.
[-1259!]
Surprisingly the damage wasn't too bad. But just then Cyclone noticed something in her status. A stack of void corruption had been added, its effect showing immediately.
[-100!]
Apart from the damage Cyclone also had a kind of irritating feeling. For now, it was easy to suppress but she realized that it might become a real threat should the void corruption increase.
The blond mage felt a hint of fear. She quickly informed her friends, causing all of them to show solemn expressions. Knowing of the additional danger no one dared to drop their caution, eyeing the violet trees as if they were their biggest enemy.