C.C. crashed into the ground, her body scraped by the stone. Zack tried his best to get free, but every time he pulled, the vines tightened. The tree monster let out an eerie roar, watching C.C. struggle like it was entertainment.
The tree yanked Celia closer to C.C., dangling her like bait. C.C. forced herself up, her eyes blinking red.
SWOOSH!!!
A vine snapped toward C.C.'s face.
C.C. leaned back just enough to dodge, but the next vine hit her ribs. BAM!!! She staggered and dropped to one knee. Zack clenched his teeth.
His fingers searched along his sleeve. He found the dagger handle he kept tucked close. Zack slid the dagger out as he waited for the right moment.
He waited until the tension eased a little, then hooked the dagger between the vines at his wrist. The vine constricted. Zack almost dropped the dagger.
He fought through the pain and kept cutting.
SNAP!!!
The vine on his wrist broke. He used the freed hand to cut the second vine, then the one around his ankle. The moment the last one loosened, his body dropped straight down.
BAM!!!
Zack hit the ground on his side and rolled. He coughed, tasted blood in his mouth, but forced himself up anyway. The tree's eyes turned toward him.
C.C. was still between the tree and Celia, trying to find a way to free Celia. "C.C.! Listen. Don't rush it."
C.C. glanced at him, then at Celia. "Celia is in danger."
"I know." Zack ran to her side, staying low. "Can you create flame?"
"Flame can harm Celia."
"Believe in me, C.C. I will never hurt her. I need a small energy shot, just enough heat to ignite." Zack kept his eyes on the trunk. "You aim only where I point."
C.C. hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Possible."
"Good. You shoot at my signal."
The tree monster laughed. It sounded like creaking wood. A vine shot toward Zack's legs.
SWOOSH!!!
Zack jumped back, barely dodging it. Another vine snapped for his throat, and he ducked, feeling it pass above his head.
C.C. stepped in and cut the vine.
SLASH!!!
But the moment she moved, the tree yanked Celia forward again, putting Celia right in front of C.C.'s blade. C.C. froze.
Zack's eyes narrowed. 'That's it. My opportunity.'
"C.C., hold for a bit more time," Zack said.
C.C. adjusted her stance. "Understood."
Zack's eyes flicked toward the cave entrance. There was something he needed for his plan. He needed oil, and the best material for that was the meat.
Zack slipped back into the cave and grabbed the meat bag.
"Realize."
[Realization Points -10]
The bag glowed under his hand. The fat inside turned slick, separating into a crude pouch of thick oil. This was not just cooking oil made from animal fat. This was processed gasoline.
Zack grabbed it and rushed back out.
Outside, C.C. fought with all she had. Her cannon arm formed, the magic circle flickering weakly.
BAM!!!
The shot hit the tree's trunk, not deep, but enough to open a wound. Black sap bled out, sticky like wax. The tree jerked.
SWOOSH!!!
It yanked Celia hard to the side to block the next line of fire. Zack's eyes sharpened. 'This is it!'
Zack sprinted, circling behind the trunk. A vine chased him, but it moved too late. Zack slid under it and jumped in close.
CRACK!!!
His dagger stabbed into the bark and stuck like it hit iron. Zack twisted and ripped sideways, forcing a long gash open. Black sap spilled out.
The tree shrieked and tried to turn. At once, it dragged Celia again, snapping her body into Zack's path.
Zack clicked his tongue. "Die, you monster!"
He slapped the oil pouch onto the fresh gash.
SPLASH!!!
Thick gasoline smeared into the crack, soaking bark and sap. The tree's eyes widened, some rolling toward Zack, some toward C.C. A vine stabbed down at Zack's back.
Zack rolled away, feeling the tip scrape his coat.
C.C. moved again.
SLASH!!!
She cut the vine trying to reclaim Zack, then immediately stopped as Celia was yanked into her line again.
Zack shouted, "Now, C.C.!"
Zack raised his dagger and pointed at the oil-soaked gash. "Now. Small flame. Right there."
C.C.'s cannon circle lit up.
BAM!!!
A small energy shot struck the wound.
SWOOSH!!!
Fire crawled across the bark, spreading fast as it ate the oil. The tree screamed in pain. The vines went wild.
WHIP! WHIP! WHIP!
They smashed the ground and tore through brush, lashing in every direction. Zack dashed to Celia and caught her, then cut the weakened vines.
C.C. stepped in, cutting two vines that tried to wrap Celia again.
SLASH! SLASH!!!
The tree tried to back away. Zack ran in and threw more gasoline.
SPLASH!!
The fire ignited even further, engulfing the whole tree. Several eyes burst one after another, black fluid spraying and hissing in the heat.
The tree staggered and tried one last time to attack Celia. Zack jumped and slashed his dagger, deflecting the strike.
CLANK!!!
The trunk split wider, burning from within.
C.C. raised her cannon arm. A dim magic circle appeared at the tip.
"Activate… Limit Break."
Her eyes glowed red, and the dim circle started shining brightly.
"Shoot!" Zack shouted.
BOOM!!!
The impact shook the clearing. Zack already had Celia on his back as he ran to C.C. C.C. dropped to her knees as her energy ran out.
Zack looked at her. "Can you walk?"
C.C.'s eyes flickered. "Power… critical. But… target… neutralized."
Zack nodded, then carried C.C. With Celia on his back and C.C. in a princess carry, Zack started running. He was afraid the explosion would call other monsters here.
The mysterious fog seemed to come from the weird tree, but he was not sure.
When he looked around, the fog was nowhere to be seen.
***
Meanwhile, in Mistbarrow Town, Celia was seated at the bar, drinking her beer.
"Just where is he? Boss, are you sure we don't need to look for him in the forest?"
Ronald replied, "No worry. Zack can take care of himself. I'm sure he will come here soon with our vip."
BAM!!!
The door opened.
Rose entered with her knight behind her, and her gaze locked onto Celia and Ronald.
The noisy bar turned silent, all their gaze turned to the row of knights.