Without hesitation, Stronghold Leader Seth unleashed his gift. The ground cracked open, and a wave of molten magma emerged, engulfing the area around the Four-star Vylkr vines.
As though sensing they had been discovered, the Four-star Vylkr vines instantly scattered to another hiding spot.
Suddenly, the inky, dark, smoke-like mist around Orion and the others churned, and hundreds of spiky Vylkr wraith vines formed before hurtling through the air towards them.
Stronghold Leader Zogar acted swiftly, morphing his body into a metallic sheen and transforming his arms into a large shield, which he used to deflect all of the Vylkr wraith vines launching towards them.
Before the vines could attack again, sharp, spinning, searing blades forged from molten lava sliced through the hundreds of Vylkr wraith vines simultaneously, causing the dead Vylkr vines to dissipate into thin air.
"Are you okay?" Stronghold Leader Seth asked, eyes scanning Orion to check for any injuries.
Orion nodded. "I'm fine," he responded, shifting his attention towards the Four-star Vylkr vines, hidden in another location. "It seems that the Vylkr vines in the area are being controlled by the four-star Vylkr vines," he added, observing as Stronghold Leader Seth dissected an encroaching swarm of Vylkr blade vines before burying them in a pit of molten lava.
"Yes, you are right. But we have nothing to worry about. Remember, Patriarch Rylan said that they are only being supported by the Vylkr veil phenomenon, which means that when it's over, they will disappear along with it," Stronghold Leader Seth responded.
He flicked his wrist forward, and a tsunami of molten lava erupted from the ground, submerging the 50-meter land before them and bathing it in searing flames.
"COUGH!! COUGH!!" Orion coughed loudly, barely able to protect himself from the heat and the intense, ashy-infused Vylkr energy smoke that scattered around and rose into the air.
Stronghold Leader Seth immediately understood that he had used his gift without considering Orion's presence.
"Since the Vylkr veil phenomenon is only just beginning, it's not hard to guess that it will only get worse. So we should return to the barrier for now and inform the Village Chief about everything we have seen," Stronghold Leader Seth said.
The Heaving ground was even more tricky and problematic than they had initially thought.
Stronghold Leader Zogar and Orion nodded, agreeing with his words.
They immediately turned around and leapt into the air, swiftly heading back towards the Orion's Cities. They arrived within minutes.
"I must guard here and ensure the entire Dead Forest is burned. I'll keep you all informed in case any other strange thing occurs," Stronghold Leader Seth said, his tone serious.
If the plan continues as scheduled, everything should be finished by tomorrow afternoon, giving him enough time to prepare for the festival the day after tomorrow.
"I'll return to the Village to inform the Village Chief about our discovery," Stronghold Leader Zogar said with a nod.
"I have to return to the Garden to take care of some lingering issues, so I'll be resting at home in the meantime and spending some time with my family," Orion responded.
He noticed a brief questioning gaze from Stronghold Leader Zogar and Seth before they nodded, understanding the sensitivity of the matter.
Once they were done, Orion and Stronghold Leader Zogar leapt upwards, departing as they headed towards their respective destinations.
…....…..
As Orion traversed through the air, leaping from roof to roof, he contemplated summoning Aerialia out of the small crimson Greatsword mark and explaining everything that had transpired.
He couldn't wait to see her look when he revealed that her predictions about the Vylkr vine phenomenon were utterly wrong. Considering what they already knew about the Vylkr vines and their energy, such a phenomenon should have been obvious.
Still, he realized how much embarrassment this would cause Aerialia and how it might bruise her ego, so he couldn't wait to summon her and explain everything.
Just as Orion was about to land again, his manor came into view, and a familiar voice abruptly sounded beside him. "Orion, I need to speak with you."
"EHH!" Orion snapped his head to the side and slipped, losing his footing on the roof he had landed on. He then rolled to the ground.
As Orion collapsed face first on the street, a Prismerion couple passing by immediately rushed towards his position and gently picked him up from the ground.
"Are you alright, sir?" asked the man.
"Let us know if you're hurt so we can take you to the nearest Healers Association branch," added the woman.
Orion shook his head, responding, "No, thank you, I'm okay. I'll be on my way immediately," before leaping into the air again, a heavy gust trailing behind him.
"Ahh!" The couple shielded themselves from the heavy wind.
The man couldn't help but ask, "Why does he look familiar?"
The woman nudged him at the side of his waist. "Don't tell me you've already figured out who that young man is?" she asked, her brow raised in surprise.
However, seeing his bewildered expression, she exhaled and explained, "He's Orion, the warrior who defeated White Flame and led us out of the mountain, guiding us through the Dead Forest until we reached here, where we all pitched in to build our new homes."
The man glanced at his wife with a surprised gaze, then quickly composed himself. "Cough! Well, it's not that I've forgotten, but I was among the crowd and didn't get a good look at his face. The paintings of him are exaggerated and don't resemble him at all," he responded.
"Let's keep walking back to your brother's home and inform him about the news we've received from the warrior," he immediately added.
His wife sighed and nodded, and they continued on their way forward.
Meanwhile, Orion arrived at another rooftop, his gaze sweeping the landscape.
Suddenly, the air before him shimmered, coming alive with movement. A familiar, tall, slender figure materialized, his skin shimmering with an opalescent glow that shifted hues like the dance of northern lights. His eyes held tiny, glimmering dots, like stars trapped within the universe, as he emerged from thin air.
