The Mirror Mantis clung to the bark of one of the giants, its body perfectly camouflaged against the rough texture.
Invisible… One with the tree.
Its compound eyes constantly scanned.
Looking for a "safe" route jumping from tree to tree.
Avoiding the golden 3 sprouts.
Subterranean beasts that hunted by pressure sensation, detecting the weight of prey on the surface and emerging in explosions of vegetal violence to drag them underground.
The Mantis knew this.
Had learned through the information Ren had shared across their bond.
The ground was death. Its perfect camouflage didn't work there.
Underground, illusions meant nothing. Mirrors were useless when buried in earth and root.
But the trees...
The trees were life.
It jumped.
Its mirror body briefly reflected the foliage and roots before becoming invisible against the next branch. Its legs gripped the ancient wood, silent, creating no vibrations that could alert predators.
Perfect execution thanks to its instincts.
